tenser; tensest
1
: stretched tight : made taut : rigid
tense muscles
2
a
: feeling or showing nervous tension
a tense smile
b
: marked by strain or suspense
a tense thriller
3
: produced with the muscles involved in a relatively tense state
the vowels \ē\ and \ü\ in contrast with the vowels \i\ and \u̇\ are tense
tensely
adverb
tenseness
noun
tensed; tensing
: to make tense
: to become tense
tensed up and missed the putt
1
: a distinction of form in a verb to express distinctions of time or duration of the action or state it denotes
2
a
: a set of inflectional forms of a verb that express distinctions of time
b
: an inflectional form of a verb expressing a specific time distinction
Examples of tense in a Sentence
Adjective
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.
Verb
She tensed as he walked toward her.
He tensed up and missed the putt.
Noun
The sentence will read better if you change the tense of the verb.
You should avoid changing tense in the middle of a paragraph.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Eyewitness accounts reported that the sweltering temperatures, along with swarms of flies from a nearby stable, contributed to a tense atmosphere and slowed down debate.
—Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Chronic impacts of emotional abuse can include anxiety, depression, insomnia, binge drinking or substance abuse and muscle tension from flinching or tensing up, Patel says.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
The complaint inspector who wrote the response referred to Ramsey in the present tense.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The coach withdrew him just after the hour mark against PSG and the cameras caught the forward looking tense and concerned on the bench.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Eyewitness accounts reported that the sweltering temperatures, along with swarms of flies from a nearby stable, contributed to a tense atmosphere and slowed down debate.
—Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
As the faith leaders arrived and asked their group to take a knee and pray on the building’s steps, Department of Homeland Security officers trained pepper-ball guns on clergy members, and National Guard members tensed their riot shields.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Chronic impacts of emotional abuse can include anxiety, depression, insomnia, binge drinking or substance abuse and muscle tension from flinching or tensing up, Patel says.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Noun
The exhibit encompasses six decades of Long Wharf Theatre history, but its spirit is very much in the present tense.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
The complaint inspector who wrote the response referred to Ramsey in the present tense.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tense. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tense
1 of 3 noun
: a form of a verb used to show the past, present, or future time of the action or state it denotes
tense
2 of 3 adjective
tenser; tensest
1
: stretched tight : made rigid
tense muscles
2
: feeling or showing nervous tension
a tense smile
3
: marked by strain or uncertainty
a tense moment
tensely
adverb
tenseness
noun
tense
3 of 3 verb
tensed; tensing
: to make or become tense
Etymology
Noun
Middle English tens "time, tense," from early French tens (same meaning), from Latin tempus "time" — related to temporary
Adjective
from Latin tensus "stretched tight," from tendere "to stretch" — related to tender entry 2
Medical Definition
tense
2 of 2 verb
tensed; tensing
: to make tense
tense a muscle
: to become tense
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share