TENSES Synonyms: 14 Similar and Opposite Words

tenses

verb

Definition of tenses next

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

Relevance

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

Just days after the I‑Team's February report, the federal government imposed a six‑month nationwide moratorium blocking Medicare enrollments for most new medical supply companies — a freeze intended to prevent high‑risk suppliers from entering the system as oversight tightens.

— Brian New, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
The ingredient, a vasoconstrictor, tightens blood vessels beneath the eyes—in turn, deflating puffiness and tightening skin’s appearance.

— Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026