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Definition of tense
tenser
;tensest
tensely
adverbtenseness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of tense in a Sentence
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 of tense from the Web
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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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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!
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After months of tense negotiations between Rome and EU regulators, Italy has been allowed to use national insolvency procedures rather than EU rules designed to prevent the use of state money to deal with bank crises.
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After a tense trial, he was acquitted, but harmony has not returned to Holton.
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But things got more tense during exchanges with senators Chris Coons (D–DE) and Al Franken (D–MN) over climate change.
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The whole combination of abilities sounds complicated, but this canvas of abilities feeds into side-scrolling, laser-blasting battles that already feel more fresh and tense than most Mega Man retreads of late.
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The interview turned tense, however, when host Chris Wallace then asked Sekulow about the remainder of Trump's tweet, in which Trump had complained that he was being investigated for firing Comey by the man who told him to fire Comey.
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The tensest moment arrived in the eighth when Richard walked Joey Votto to load the bases with two outs, push his pitch-count to 105 and fetch Andy Green from the dugout.
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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Our whole present tense takes place in the shadows of the original, pure impressions of childhood.
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Dustin Reid, who produced a Red Hot Master Mix tribute album to Russell, in 2014, and who has Russell’s initials tattooed on his arm, speaks of the musician in the present tense.
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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