1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
was tense about the upcoming bar exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
a tense relationship existed between the two teachers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tight
stretched with little or no give
a tense rope
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of tense
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026
Yet the conclusion of one lengthy and tense period of talks will only herald another.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Everyone in the barber shop flinched at the sound and tensed their shoulders.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
The meeting then grew tense when an audience member appeared to interrupt.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026
Yet the conclusion of one lengthy and tense period of talks will only herald another.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Verb
Curtis seemed to tense up amid the smooth onslaught.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Everyone in the barber shop flinched at the sound and tensed their shoulders.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
-
Many small business owners struggle to provide retirement plans, according to a Senate legislative analyst, and Americans are growing increasingly worried about their financial security in retirement.—
Madeline Luebkert,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
But, garnering the support from those within the Big Ten and SEC footprint is clearly not an aspect of this process that both Cantwell and Cruz are worried about.—
Trey Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
As the nation gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, most Americans feel uneasy about their present, and pessimistic about their future, polls show.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
Sanders takes an uneasy step, into his wonderful, painful childhood.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
Starter Eric Lauer battles erratic fastball command and early damage yet completes six innings, while the Rays’ Nick Martinez matches him before a bullpen misstep to Rojas decides a tight opener.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
Security was tight at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night at the first of seven World Cup matches in South Florida.—
Al Diaz,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Varsho tightened the score an inning later with his home run off Trent Thornton.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
The European Central Bank was the first major central bank to raise interest rates last week, its first tightening move in nearly three years.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Fantasy managers were nervous about investing in Brown due to possible rotation but one per cent of them were rewarded with a goal, an assist and the scouting bonus.—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Hundreds of thousands of fans, sitting in bars throughout the city, watched televisions in nervous silence.—
Jenna Thompson
June 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
That normalization may be the most disturbing aspect of all.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
Although the project is unlikely to affect Jackson’s popularity much, some of the revelations uncovered during the investigation are disturbing.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Cleverly shot, the film made good use of its taut 74-minute running time (not counting commercials, of course).—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
The dry version is taut, floral and mineral, all apple and meadow flower over a saline core.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Though fans are anxious to see Andrade return to more events, her job in Rio is done.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
Homeless, his body torn, Odysseus needs to get back to her and Telemachus, his anxious son, and to clean up the mess.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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