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
Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
The exchange comes amid a tense political environment in the wake of conservative activist’s Charlie Kirk’s killing.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Seemingly immediately, your heart will begin racing and your muscles will start tensing.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Manager Stephen Vogt used the past tense when discussing Thomas’ season.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
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show current usage.
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Adjective
In its stark objectivity, the film makes Kardashian’s suffering palpable as her partner changes before her eyes (see an exclusive clip of a tense interaction between the pair at the top of this post).
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
The exchange comes amid a tense political environment in the wake of conservative activist’s Charlie Kirk’s killing.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
The muffled, percussive sounds of the firing range could be heard through the walls, and my body tensed with every pop.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Seemingly immediately, your heart will begin racing and your muscles will start tensing.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
These stories tend to be told in the second person and the present tense, giving them a choose-your-own-adventure intensity.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Manager Stephen Vogt used the past tense when discussing Thomas’ season.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 13 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 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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