Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

tense

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of tense

1 feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
  • Lori was tense about the upcoming bar exam.
Synonyms of tense

aflutter, antsy, anxious, dithery, edgy, het up, hung up, ill at ease, insecure, jittery, jumpy, nervous, nervy, perturbed, queasy (also queazy), troubled, uneasy, unquiet, upset, uptight, worried
Words Related to tense

aggrieved, bothered, concerned, disquieted, distraught, distressed, disturbed, freaked, freaked-out, shook-up

apprehensive, foreboding, hesitant, misgiving

fretful, fretting, stewing, vexed

flustered, twittered, undone, unnerved, unstrung

obsessed, preoccupied, restless

fidgety, flighty, fluttery, high-strung, skittish, spooky
Phrases Synonymous with tense

keyed up, on edge, on pins and needles, on tenterhooks
Near Antonyms of tense

confident, self-assured, self-confident, sure

controlled, self-controlled
Antonyms of tense

calm, collected, cool, easy, happy-go-lucky, nerveless, relaxed
2 marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
  • A tense relationship existed between the two teachers.
Synonyms of tense

agitating, anxious, creepy, disquieting, distressful, distressing, disturbing, fraught, hairy, nerve-racking (or nerve-wracking), nervous, restless, uneasy, unnerving, unsettling, worrisome
Words Related to tense

bothersome, troublesome

foreboding, misgiving

discouraging, disheartening, strained

restive, restless, unrestful

awkward, embarrassing
Near Antonyms of tense

restful

pacific
Antonyms of tense

calming, comfortable, easy, peaceful, quiet, quieting, tranquil
3 stretched with little or no give
  • a tense rope
Synonyms of tense

rigid, taut, tight
Words Related to tense

firm, inflexible, stiff, tightened, unrelaxed, unyielding
Near Antonyms of tense

drooping, droopy, flaccid, floppy, hanging, lank, limp, loosened, relaxed, sagging, slackened, yielding

elastic, flexible, pliant, resilient, springy, stretchy, supple
Antonyms of tense

lax, loose, slack

tense

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of tense

to draw tight
  • He tensed his muscles and attempted to lift the heavy appliance onto the truck.
Synonyms of tense

strain, stretch, tauten, tighten
Words Related to tense

elongate, extend, lengthen

cinch, constrict
Near Antonyms of tense

ease, relax
Antonyms of tense

loosen, slack, slacken

Learn More about tense

  1. See words that rhyme with tense Dictionary: Definition of tense Medical Dictionary: Definition of 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

What made you want to look up tense? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games