Definition of tense
tenser
;tensest
tensely
adverbtenseness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of tense in a Sentence
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You should avoid changing tense in the middle of a paragraph.
Recent Examples of tense from the Web
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But extra-time was imminent, and, depsite the visitors' late dominance, another 30 minutes of tense, painstaking play-off football was required.
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The night ended on a tense note, as the room turned its attention to CB60, which would allow mulching practices on agricultural preservation easement land as an accessory to a tree farm.
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Wang's conviction comes at a particularly tense time for U.S.-Iranian relations, which have rapidly deteriorated since President Donald Trump took office.
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That evening, Sherven had attended a tense, crowded gathering at Mount Horeb High School, where DNR officials presented their kill-all-the-deer plan.
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Accompanying Tebo at the scene were several NOPD graduates from the department's Crisis Intervention Team, who have received specialized training in defusing tense situations involving the mentally disturbed.
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The US State Department's approval of the sale – the first since December 2015 – follows a tense year between China and Taiwan.
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Maduro condemned the violence but with a stern warning to his opponents that's likely to only further inflame an already tense situation.
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We’re treated to a tense beach scene (Debra is dressed as a lady of the evening circa 1872) before everyone (including Simon, sans David) goes out to discuss important issues over, what else, pedicures!
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of tense
Latin tensus, from past participle of tendere to stretch — more at thin
tense
Definition of tense
tensed
;tensing
transitive verb
: to make tense
intransitive verb
: to become tense tensed up and missed the putt
Examples of tense in a Sentence
She was feeling pretty tense.
Why are you so tense?
We sat quietly for a few tense moments.
It was a tense meeting.
My calf muscles are really tense.
Recent Examples of tense from the Web
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Tensing’s first trial last year also ended with the jury deadlocked.
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Despite his reputation (or perhaps because of it), Deters was aggressive in his presentation of the case, calling Tensing a liar for claiming that DuBose was speeding off as Tensing’s arm was trapped in the car.
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Laughing when others laugh or tensing when others tense does more than ingratiate.
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The video shows Howard tensing up his body and yelling as officers try to wrestle him to the floor.
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Under questioning by Tensing attorney Stewart Mathews, the supervisor agreed that an officer who was planning to commit a murder probably wouldn’t have done that.
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Under questioning by Tensing attorney Stewart Mathews, the supervisor agreed that an officer who was planning to commit a murder probably wouldn't have done that.
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Usually, I'm tensed up and my face is all squished together.
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Tensing’s attorneys are questioning the qualifications of a prosecution witness who analyzed the body camera video at the center of the case.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of tense
1676
tense
Definition of tense
1 : a distinction of form in a verb to express distinctions of time or duration of the action or state it denotes
2a : a set of inflectional forms of a verb that express distinctions of timeb : an inflectional form of a verb expressing a specific time distinction
Examples of tense in a Sentence
She tensed as he walked toward her.
He tensed up and missed the putt.
Recent Examples of tense from the Web
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Tense, dramatic moments give way to a pitch session with Hard Rock International that becomes a turning point for Overtone.
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At one point, McConnell and Schumer, whose desks are near each other at the front of the chamber, engaged in a tense back and forth.
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President Donald Trump on Monday continued his tense back-and-forth with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a day after suggesting the mayor was playing down the threat of terror following a deadly attack in the city.
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The author elects to tell the story in first person present tense, a choice that adds a choppy, staccato feel to things and also underlines some of the narrative discontinuities that creep into the text along the way.
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The author elects to tell the story in first person present tense, a choice that adds a choppy, staccato feel to things and also underlines some of the narrative discontinuities that creep into the text along the way.
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The author elects to tell the story in first person present tense, a choice that adds a choppy, staccato feel to things and also underlines some of the narrative discontinuities that creep into the text along the way.
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The author elects to tell the story in first person present tense, a choice that adds a choppy, staccato feel to things and also underlines some of the narrative discontinuities that creep into the text along the way.
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Our whole present tense takes place in the shadows of the original, pure impressions of childhood.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of tense
Middle English tens time, tense, from Anglo-French, from Latin tempus
TENSE Defined for English Language Learners
tense
playDefinition of tense for English Language Learners
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grammar : a form of a verb that is used to show when an action happened
tense
Definition of tense for English Language Learners
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: nervous and not able to relax
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: showing or causing nervousness
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: not relaxed but hard and tight
tense
Definition of tense for English Language Learners
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: to make (a muscle) hard and tight
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: to become nervous or tense
TENSE Defined for Kids
Definition of tense for Students
: a form of a verb used to show the time of the action or state
Definition of tense for Students
tenser
;tensest
1 : feeling or showing worry or nervousness : not relaxed a tense smile
2 : marked by strain or uncertainty a tense moment
3 : stretched tight tense muscles
tensely
adverbtenseness
nounWord Root of tense
The Latin word tendere, meaning to “stretch” or “to spread,” and its form tentus give us the roots tend, tent, and tens. Words from the Latin tendere have something to do with stretching or spreading. A tent is a temporary shelter made from stretched out fabric. To distend is to stretch outward and swell in all directions. To extend is to stretch out. A tendon is a cord that connects a muscle to another muscle or to a bone and that stretches allowing a joint to bend. Something tense is stretched tight.
Definition of tense for Students
tensed
;tensing
1 : to make or become worried or nervous She tensed as the deadline grew near.
2 : to make (a muscle) hard and tight She tensed her shoulders.
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of tense
tenser
;tensest
1: stretched tight : made taut or rigid the skeletal musculature involuntarily becomes tense—H. G. Armstrong
2: feeling or showing nervous tension was tense and irritable
tenseness
nountense
Medical Definition of tense
tensed
;tensing
transitive verb
: to make tense tense a muscleintransitive verb
: to become tense
Learn More about tense
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tense Spanish Central: Translation of tense Nglish: Translation of tense for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tense for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tense
Seen and Heard
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