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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tense
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 June 2026
Over the course of the evening, things will be alternately tense, flirty, vulnerable and revelatory as surprisingly little food is eaten.
—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Everyone in the barber shop flinched at the sound and tensed their shoulders.
—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
John Hopewell,
Variety,
18 Dec. 2025
The officer took her to the ground and then tried cuffing Tejeras, who tensed up so much, the officer’s body camera was knocked to the ground, according to the report.
—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
The preview opens with a tense dialogue tracking a costly military encounter.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 June 2026
Over the course of the evening, things will be alternately tense, flirty, vulnerable and revelatory as surprisingly little food is eaten.
—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Verb
Curtis seemed to tense up amid the smooth onslaught.
—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Everyone in the barber shop flinched at the sound and tensed their shoulders.
—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
Studios in collaboration with Banijay’s DLO Producciones, tracks the rise of the founding leader of Los Miami, a gang which controlled Madrid’s insatiable ‘90s drug business, tensed by sudden explosive violence, and the drug-lord’s multiple near-death experiences.
—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
18 Dec. 2025
The officer took her to the ground and then tried cuffing Tejeras, who tensed up so much, the officer’s body camera was knocked to the ground, according to the report.
—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
-
Now, multiple residents are left worried about what's to come next week with extremely hot temperatures in the forecast.
-
With voters nationwide worried about inflation and the rising cost of living, some Californians might feel less inclined to provide full healthcare coverage to those lacking legal status.
Adjective
-
As the nation gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, most Americans feel uneasy about their present, and pessimistic about their future, polls show.
-
Sanders takes an uneasy step, into his wonderful, painful childhood.
Adjective
-
Contrary to what those face-washing commercials from our childhood led us to believe, your skin doesn't need to feel tight or squeaky-clean after cleansing.
-
That was a fantastic finish into a tight window.
Verb
-
Vucic has gradually tightened his grip on power since his populist party took over the Serbian government 14 years ago.
-
The roots of this position lie in the energy crisis of the 1970s, which prompted most of Europe to tighten its codes so that buildings would be more efficient.
Adjective
-
Oprah selected it for her book club; at her compound in Montecito, Whitehead was so nervous that her staff insisted on blow-drying the damp patches of his dress shirt before they were introduced.
-
The low unemployment rate had made many economists nervous, including some on the Fed.
Adjective
-
That normalization may be the most disturbing aspect of all.
-
Although the project is unlikely to affect Jackson’s popularity much, some of the revelations uncovered during the investigation are disturbing.
Adjective
-
Cleverly shot, the film made good use of its taut 74-minute running time (not counting commercials, of course).
-
The dry version is taut, floral and mineral, all apple and meadow flower over a saline core.
Adjective
-
Though fans are anxious to see Andrade return to more events, her job in Rio is done.
-
Homeless, his body torn, Odysseus needs to get back to her and Telemachus, his anxious son, and to clean up the mess.
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
