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
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Recent Examples of tense
Leia Mendoza, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
The tense scenes unfolded late Wednesday night along 14th Street Northwest just days after President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police in an effort to crack down on crime.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 13 May 2025
As the faith leaders arrived and asked their group to take a knee and pray on the building’s steps, Department of Homeland Security officers trained pepper-ball guns on clergy members, and National Guard members tensed their riot shields.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
After a tense introduction, Laura becomes convinced Cherry is hiding something.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
The tense scenes unfolded late Wednesday night along 14th Street Northwest just days after President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police in an effort to crack down on crime.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Pelvic tension So many things can cause your pelvic floor muscles to tense up.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 13 May 2025
As the faith leaders arrived and asked their group to take a knee and pray on the building’s steps, Department of Homeland Security officers trained pepper-ball guns on clergy members, and National Guard members tensed their riot shields.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
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Many were worried about stripping precipitation out of a cloud and robbing people downstream of rain.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, however, didn’t necessarily appear worried when asked what joint practices taught him about his cornerbacks.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Unlike taking space to cool down, which is a much healthier strategy, the silent treatment is used specifically to make the other partner feel uneasy.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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The pair form an uneasy and sometimes humorous alliance while uncovering a drug ring revolving around a dangerous alien narcotic.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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This one even comes with a synthetic cork cap that creates a tight seal and can be washed and reused along with the bottle.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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White House efforts to tighten its grip on the Washington, D.C., police force are prompting pushback from the city’s leaders, escalating tensions as the Trump administration sought to compel Washington’s help with immigration enforcement.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
16 Aug. 2025
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In late July, GOP Representatives Tom Tiffany and Andrew Clyde, of Wisconsin and Georgia respectively, introduced legislation to tighten restrictions on H-1B visa numbers, arguing that American talent should be prioritized over immigrants.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But as Trump appears to ignore court decisions and high-level administration officials are suggesting suspending the writ of habeas corpus, Bolick is nervous the United States is heading toward authoritarianism.—
Amanda Luberto,
AZCentral.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Students, meanwhile, often get nervous about asking for clarification or diving deeper into a topic in front of their peers.—
Shelbie Witte,
The Conversation,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Not sure what’s funnier and more disturbing, Sweet Tooth’s urine test coming back as a black goo, or Axel not allowing a blood sample, presumably because his blood is gasoline.—
Rafael Motamayor,
Vulture,
14 Aug. 2025
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In the spring, Linda appeared in a disturbing social media video lifting the lid on the dysfunction in the family.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Rainmaker is a taut thriller driven by relentless cynicism toward the state of the legal profession and simmering rage at the state of the health insurance industry.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
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But their taut power-pop-rock is best appreciated on these big stages.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The vices of deficiency, such as being anxious, agitated, impatient, inattentive, and rash, are common everyday experiences.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Orange County students are returning to class this month as districts navigate an anxious back-to-school season shaped by immigration raids over the summer and the possibility that attendance drops could cut into school funding.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
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