1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
was tense about the upcoming bar exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
a tense relationship existed between the two teachers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tight
stretched with little or no give
a tense rope
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of tense
Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2025
Things got slightly more tense when Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines argued over how Democrats handled the shutdown.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Keep tensing and releasing muscles of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, legs, feet, and toes.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
Whatever the case, sensitivities about national security risks remain high as China’s relationship with Western nations grows tense.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2025
Things got slightly more tense when Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines argued over how Democrats handled the shutdown.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
This can lead your soft tissues to sag into those gaps, causing your muscles to tense up in compensation.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Keep tensing and releasing muscles of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, legs, feet, and toes.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
-
In response, the White House is planning to adjust its messaging strategy to focus on affordability to try to win over voters who are worried about the high cost of living with plans to emphasize new tax breaks and show progress on fighting inflation.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Are Americans worried about inflation just wrong?—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Rather than offering peace of mind from pest invasion, the chemical control process often leaves families feeling uneasy about what has been introduced so indiscriminately into their environment.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Cuomo led early polls, buoyed by name recognition and a coalition of moderate Democrats uneasy with the party’s leftward drift.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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As an example, Sopo said that in some majority-Hispanic Congressional districts in South Texas, conservative Latinos ran in races with historically tight margins of victory.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But Charlotte Republicans are now left wondering how supposed tight races ran away from them and what comes next for their beleaguered party.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Schuldiner and his bandmates fine-tuned and tightened the sound on subsequent albums, hitting a high water mark on 1991’s Human, which landed at Number 70 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Trump also recently imposed sanctions on the Russian energy sector, which will help tighten the financial squeeze on Russia’s war effort.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2024, Mark looked nervous watching Grace compete in a horse show.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Senior dogs, puppies, or nervous rescues may require specialized care.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Despite already having declared her candidacy, McKnight voiced disturbing and violent threats against Sheehy.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
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This story contains a description of a shooting some readers may find disturbing.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Make sure ties are taut so tiny fingers can’t reach what’s inside. 5.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
-
When considering his crimes or getting ready to commit another, Chernus’s eyes grow cold, his voice deep and sharp, his body language more taut and authoritative.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The self-laceration is done on Damon Albarn Time, though, as Idles’ usual anxious guitar rave-ups are slowed and stripped here to a skipping, reggae-ish crawl, as synths squeak in the background and Albarn offers support via his forever-distant, disembodied backing vocals.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Obviously, Meghan’s anxious about it.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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