Narrowed

The past tense and past participle of the verb 'narrow', meaning to decrease in width, extent, or scope; to make or become limited. It implies a reduction in size, degree, or availability. This can apply to physical spaces, abstract concepts like focus or options, or even opportunities. The process of narrowing often involves a focusing or a restriction, leading to a more precise or confined result. It highlights a transition from a broader or more general state to a more specific or limited one.

Narrowed meaning with examples

• The road narrowed significantly as it entered the mountain pass, making it difficult for large vehicles to navigate. The once spacious avenue had become a tight squeeze. Drivers needed to pay extra attention and reduce their speed as they entered the tunnel, because the road narrowed to one lane.
• After weeks of investigation, the police narrowed their list of suspects to just two individuals. Investigators slowly began to discount and omit suspects to focus on the most likely contenders. The process narrowed the pool of those accused.
• My choices narrowed as the deadline for submitting the application approached. With limited opportunities, I was forced to pick only one. Eventually, all options narrowed due to my final decision.
• The company's focus narrowed to its most profitable product lines in response to the economic downturn. Because of the losses, their business strategy narrowed to avoid greater damage. The strategy was to narrow their targets to the most effective.
• The scope of the research project narrowed from general environmental issues to a specific study of deforestation in the Amazon. What had once been the general study eventually narrowed to a distinct topic. The project's focus became less generalized.