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
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Speaking with Deadline last month, Gravitt indicated that the current tense geopolitical situation may have contributed to the show’s popularity much like the pandemic launch fueled the global success of another warm, upbeat comedy co-created by Lawrence, Apple TV’s Ted Lasso.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Breezily elegant in execution and at times even Hitchcockian, The Girlfriend is a delicious thriller that tenses up with each new scene and revelation.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
My skin felt dirty, and my stomach tensed with fear.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
John, who had just had a tense exchange with Solages about a plan to remove Haitian President Jovenel Moïse from power, watched as a circle formed around Solages.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Speaking with Deadline last month, Gravitt indicated that the current tense geopolitical situation may have contributed to the show’s popularity much like the pandemic launch fueled the global success of another warm, upbeat comedy co-created by Lawrence, Apple TV’s Ted Lasso.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
Limited rib mobility interferes with the ability to breathe deeply, triggering your body’s stress response, which increases muscle tensing as a guarding mechanism.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Breezily elegant in execution and at times even Hitchcockian, The Girlfriend is a delicious thriller that tenses up with each new scene and revelation.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
While biting, their jaw muscles tensed to squeeze venom into their meal.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
My skin felt dirty, and my stomach tensed with fear.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
-
That has industry insiders across the spectrum — from creatives and crew members to the highest of the C-suites — worried about the overall health of the entertainment sector.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
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But Mulligan was worried that some of the obscenities felt too American.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This kind of bare-knuckle politics might explain why so many other GOP leaders are uneasy.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The entire record is a Trojan horse—a clear vision of white womanhood that hides a whole lot of churning, uneasy feelings.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch denounced a sustained crackdown on dissent under Talon, citing arbitrary detentions, tighter restrictions on public demonstrations and mounting pressure on independent media outlets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The pope arrived at the ruins in a rainstorm and with tight security, with sharpshooters positioned around the site and police officers stationed every few yards along roads leading to it.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But with all that protection and all the money spent, neighbors like Brown are still nervous.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
His presence made Kennedy nervous.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The story centers on a young couple (Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny) whose lives become entangled with their volatile boss and his wife (Isaac and Carey Mulligan) after witnessing a disturbing incident at an elite country club.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
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Before the footage was shown, as PEOPLE previously reported, Judge George Gallagher warned those in the courtroom that the material would be disturbing.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shape dough into two taut balls.—
Emily Teel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2026
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Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie just can’t outrun his famously taut backside.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The president and his Cabinet members are giving conflicting statements about the impact of the war on gas prices as Americans grow more anxious about the economic toll that the conflict is taking.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
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This is the move that helps the shyest, most introverted, most socially anxious people relax.—
Henna Pryor,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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From shaping complex, layered roles to creating a world that feels both opulent and unsettling, the panel will unpack the storytelling choices that bring this gripping narrative to life.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
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What is unsettling today is how easily modern leaders still reach for religious language to evade restraint, and how fragile the institutions meant to check them can appear.—
Joëlle Rollo-Koster,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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