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
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Recent Examples of tense
Barry Levitt, Time, 22 Aug. 2025
In the all-new trailer for season 20 (premiering Sunday, Sept. 28), the Brown family — Kody, Robyn, Janelle and Meri — are caught in a series of tense exchanges in the moments leading up to the sale of the Arizona property.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 10 June 2025
Pelvic tension So many things can cause your pelvic floor muscles to tense up.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
This tense standoff has a rhythmic quality to it, so much so that both King and Felon begin to deliberately rhyme.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 22 Aug. 2025
In the all-new trailer for season 20 (premiering Sunday, Sept. 28), the Brown family — Kody, Robyn, Janelle and Meri — are caught in a series of tense exchanges in the moments leading up to the sale of the Arizona property.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
My muscles tensed, my heart pounded and my body performed a maneuver on its own accord.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 10 June 2025
Pelvic tension So many things can cause your pelvic floor muscles to tense up.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 13 May 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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That’s because of the NFL’s ownership rules, which are tighter than those in other sports.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Getty Images President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would permit 600,000 Chinese students to study at American universities, a sharp pivot from his administration’s earlier stance on tightening visa restrictions for this student cohort.—
Anna Esaki-Smith,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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For the full year, Abercrombie tightened its earnings outlook and now expects earnings per share to be between $10.00 and $10.50.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
27 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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Adding squeaky toys and being careful to be gentle when bathing can all help an anxious dog at bathtime, and owners should use a muzzle if their dog becomes aggressive during bathtime.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
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However, the enthusiasm was short-lived, as the sell-off on Monday revealed that investors remain anxious about the uncertainties regarding the frequency and magnitude of potential rate cuts.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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