tightening

Definitions

The act or process of making something firmer, less loose, or more constricted.

A restriction or increase in the severity of rules, policies, or financial conditions.

The state of becoming physically tense or compressed.

Examples

The central bank is tightening monetary policy to combat rising inflation.

He felt the tightening of his chest as he climbed the steep mountain trail.

Synonyms

constricting fastening securing stiffening contracting restricting clamping

Antonyms

loosening relaxing slackening releasing expanding unfastening loosening up