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
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 June 2025
Over the past few weeks, Bieber has found himself at the center of increasingly tense run-ins with paparazzi.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Losing one-goal leads had threatened to become a theme against Dallas, but a fast start saw the Stars begin to tense up, instead of the other way ’round.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2025
Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025
Trump pointedly referred to the relationship in the past tense and cast doubts on its happy future.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Their only hope is to get to a nearby island, a situation made harder – and much more tense – by a clever great white, noteworthy for being a real shark rather than a CGI one like most films use.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 June 2025
Over the past few weeks, Bieber has found himself at the center of increasingly tense run-ins with paparazzi.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Verb
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
Losing one-goal leads had threatened to become a theme against Dallas, but a fast start saw the Stars begin to tense up, instead of the other way ’round.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
Their lives, so often cast in the past tense, kept showing up in the present.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025
Trump pointedly referred to the relationship in the past tense and cast doubts on its happy future.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 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 30 Jun. 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
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