Crossword Genius

Discussion of great intellectuals becomes more stringent (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tightens

'more stringent' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'discussion of great intellectuals' is the wordplay.
'discussion of' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'great intellectuals' becomes 'titans' (titan can mean a very notable person in a field).
'titans' is a homophone of 'TIGHTENS'.

'becomes' is the link.

(Other definitions for tightens that I've seen before include "more stringent" , "Increases restrictions" .)

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