resserrer

to tighten, to strengthen

verb ruh-seh-REH Rare

Usage Note

Resserrer means to tighten something that has loosened (resserrer une vis) or, figuratively, to reinforce ties: resserrer les liens (to strengthen bonds). The reflexive se resserrer is very common: les rangs se resserrent (the ranks are closing) or l'étau se resserre (the noose is tightening). It is distinct from serrer (to grip/tighten once) by implying a re-tightening.

Examples

"Il faut resserrer les liens entre nous."

Natural Translation

We need to strengthen the bonds between us.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

How to Pronounce the French R (Step by Step)

The French R is a back-of-the-throat sound, not a rolled R. Learn the exact tongue position and a step-by-step drill to build it from sounds you already make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Numbers 1 to 100: Count With Confidence

French numbers 1 to 100 in one complete chart, with pronunciation, the et-un rule, hyphens, and the four-twenties system explained so you can count anywhere.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French False Friends: 25 Faux Amis to Avoid

French false friends look like English words but mean something else: actuellement is not actually, sensible means sensitive. Here are 25 faux amis to avoid.

June 3, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Faire in French: To Make, To Do, and More

Faire in French means more than make and do: master faire vs rendre, weather and sports idioms, the causative, and the mistakes English speakers make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read