tenses

Definition of tensesnext
present tense third-person singular of tense
as in tightens
to draw tight he tensed his muscles and attempted to lift the heavy appliance onto the truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 tenses 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenses
tightens
Verb
  • The result is essentially an arbitrary purity test that tightens capital access necessary for creating American jobs and stimulating local economies.
    Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
  • The Atlanta rapper tightens his wild experimentation on an album that spotlights his increasingly distinct voice.
    Serge Selenou, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenses. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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