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
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Recent Examples of tense
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
At a missile-defense base in Fort Greely, Alaska, Major Daniel Gonzalez (Anthony Ramos) steps outside for a tense phone call, presumably with his significant other.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Carley Millhone, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Muscles get tensed and strained.
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
Pastor Turner’s Sunday (October 12) sermon centered on seeing the divine in the most improbable and unlikely relationships—a message that resonated amid the city’s tense atmosphere.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
At a missile-defense base in Fort Greely, Alaska, Major Daniel Gonzalez (Anthony Ramos) steps outside for a tense phone call, presumably with his significant other.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Keep tensing and releasing muscles of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, legs, feet, and toes.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Muscles get tensed and strained.
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
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During a ten-minute break, Heidi was worried.—
Joe Garcia,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
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Midwest The Upper Midwest is the only area that has some potential for minor travel delays, but the Farmer’s Almanac isn’t too worried.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This uneasy detente between Matty and Olympia drives much of the rest of this episode’s plot.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
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Wichita police are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman reportedly taken by force early Sunday morning — an incident that has left neighbors uneasy.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski’s excellent performance from the mound – striking out nine, a Milwaukee rookie postseason record – ensured that Thursday’s game was a tight affair through five innings, but LA took the lead in the sixth on Tommy Edman’s RBI single.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
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Thibodeau was known for utilizing a tight rotation and playing his guys for extended minutes.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Powell suggests the Fed might stop tightening policy.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Israel then tightened a land-sea-air blockade of the territory, which made normal governance impossible and turned every budget line into a permit request.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Each new round of tariffs rattles markets and makes investors more nervous about what the White House might do next.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
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When Wright first reached out to Hall, Hall was nervous about working with the shelter.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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White, who works as a bartender in Malibu, said the connection was especially disturbing, FOX 11 reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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The allegations against this individual are disturbing and completely contrary to the values and mission of this department.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Martin, who is fifty-four, is the most commercially successful songwriter of the twenty-first century; his work is meticulous and precise, and his songs are taut, balanced, unyielding.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
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Their 105mm rise kept proportion taut, while the cutout ankle strap echoed the house’s ongoing exploration of tactile hardware — recently updated with T-Latch sandals and tortoiseshell-heel variations, as seen on Kylie Jenner walking into the show.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Yair's release in February 2025 brought relief to the family, but left them deeply anxious for Eitan.—
Itay Stern,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
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Limburg said the program is designed to reach people who have not been screened because of lack of medical access or transportation barriers − as well as those who are anxious or fearful over getting a colonoscopy.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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