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
Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Following more than a year of negotiations, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, bringing an end to a prolonged and, at times, tense process.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Keeping in the same position for a long period of time, especially if cramped or uncomfortable, can also lead to muscles tensing up and feeling tight.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
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
The negotiations were at times tense in the public eye.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Following more than a year of negotiations, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, bringing an end to a prolonged and, at times, tense process.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Keeping in the same position for a long period of time, especially if cramped or uncomfortable, can also lead to muscles tensing up and feeling tight.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
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
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But if anything, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell sounded more worried about the upside risk of inflation in the aftermath of Operation Epic Fury.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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That uncertainty is why economists are increasingly worried that companies may pause their hiring plans and consumers may rein in spending.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Shadow of Turkmenchay The uneasy relationship between the two powers stretches back nearly two centuries.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Residents who attended the rally said the situation has left many neighbors uneasy.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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There was no immediate confirmation from Iran, where little information has been coming out due to internet outages, round-the-clock airstrikes and tight restrictions on journalists.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With companies pulling out because of trade uncertainty, workers are nervous about organizing, knowing that any friction risks further factory closures that could trigger more layoffs.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Mar. 2026
-
There was a beat of nervous confusion as Palmer declined his advances.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Though intensely disturbing, a scene where a TV shows a distorted iteration of a character that Ohm watched as a kid rings out of place, even if the context involves his mother’s tragic passing.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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If true, this is obviously disturbing.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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All around the skiff, pink river dolphins pop up for air, their taut blush bodies arcing briefly before vanishing with barely a splash.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Her joints ached, and her legs were frequently taut with fluid.—
Jason Liebowitz,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Over a week, readers were treated to a raft of anxious baby content.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
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Tokyo is also becoming increasingly anxious about Chinese missiles targeting Japanese bases.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In November 2022, as NASA prepared for its maiden Artemis launch, agents from its Office of Protective Services made an unsettling discovery whose details have never been previously revealed.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
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What sets Brule apart from fellow idiots in similar setups like Borat or Philomena Cunk is Reilly’s ability to present Brule with deep pathos and a sense of mystery, offering glimpses into a dark backstory, all made unsettling by the show’s analog-horror aesthetic.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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