1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
was tense about the upcoming bar exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 3 July 2025
Still, his identity as an active LAPD reserve officer has raised some eyebrows in Santa Ana, a city with a long and often tense relationship with its own police force.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 3 July 2025
Lindsay Curtis, Health, 27 Apr. 2025
Sigmon’s arms briefly tensed when he was shot, and the target was blasted off his chest.
—Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
Tincher met with Met Council and Metro Transit officials around 2 p.m. Thursday for some tense talk, but the mayor’s office had no immediate changes to announce afterward to the maintenance schedule that was posted this week on Metro Transit’s website.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 3 July 2025
Still, his identity as an active LAPD reserve officer has raised some eyebrows in Santa Ana, a city with a long and often tense relationship with its own police force.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 3 July 2025
Verb
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive muscle relaxation involves slowly tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body, one at a time.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 27 Apr. 2025
Sigmon’s arms briefly tensed when he was shot, and the target was blasted off his chest.
—Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
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As Republicans work to pass President Donald Trump's reconciliation bill by his July 4 deadline, many are worried about the changes that could be coming to Medicaid.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
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But even in a Congress filled with newcomers, the memory of 2018 (and its electoral fallout for a beleaguered GOP) should be fresh enough to keep people worried.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Outlook: Stability or Strain? Oil markets in 2024 were defined by an uneasy equilibrium.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Given that uneasy reminder, the small victory ultimately won by King and his followers is even more extraordinary and potent.—
Sophie van Bastelaer,
EW.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Panda flipped this model, embedding itself directly in the grower network and building tight, regional supply chains.—
Kasi Martin,
Sourcing Journal,
9 July 2025
-
Rodman pulled her hair back into a tight bun and accessorized with delicate pieces of jewelry, including earrings, bracelets and rings.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Watching his son evolve from a 4-star recruit out of Columbus High School in Miami to an eventual first-round pick out of Michigan State, Richardson doesn’t get too nervous or overly excited when Jase is on the court.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 June 2025
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But with Wirtz, there was suddenly an effort not to do that; the media got nervous about calling it a record.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Many of these videos follow a disturbing but familiar pattern—the extraction and erasure of Black women’s genius, creativity, and contributions.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Even then, the fact that the package contained a bloody tracksuit is still disturbing and likely to create psychological trauma for the daughter.—
Jim Halterman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Even a fairly young redfish is a taut torpedo of muscle—a beast of an animal, which after a few years can reach as much as nine pounds, almost too big for the shallow waters that have been its nursery.—
Boyce Upholt,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 June 2025
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How Benson Boone pays tribute to rock history on new album Boone has said that these 10 songs, which clock in at taut 30 minutes, were inspired by Bruce Springsteen.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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My expectation is that the veteran who has been in the Octagon against some of the heaviest hitters in the UFC’s heavyweight division is going to be anxious to test the young man who only has 35 seconds of UFC fight time to his name.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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The choice of name was coincidental but Lee and Kirby were anxious to avoid any connection to radical politics.—
Ekow Eshun
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The pit and toy poodle mix, adopted from a rescue ranch called The Barking Lot outside San Diego, found the sudden arrival of towering boxes and disappearing furniture deeply unsettling.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
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The decision has left some in an unsettling state of limbo.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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