tighten

To make something fit more firmly, become less loose, or have less freedom to move.

• Please tighten the lid.
• She tightened the rope around the box.
• The school has tightened its rules.

Opposites: loosen

Common phrases: tighten a screw, tighten your belt, tighten security

To make less money available for people or businesses to borrow or use.

• Banks may tighten credit.
• The government tightened the money supply last year.
• Lenders tighten lending when the economy becomes uncertain.

Similar words: restrict

Opposites: ease

Common phrases: tighten credit, tighten money supply, tighten lending

To increase the interest rates charged on loans, usually as a central bank.

• The central bank may tighten again.
• It tightened by half a percentage point.
• Will the bank tighten if inflation rises?

Similar words: raise interest rates

Opposites: cut interest rates

Common phrases: tighten further, tighten monetary policy