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
as in tightening
to draw tight
he tensed his muscles and attempted to lift the heavy appliance onto the truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tense
Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
That said, a bunch of the new content looks very cool, including a tense survival drama, a Japanese psychic bio-drama, and a new take on Man on Fire.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
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
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Keep tensing and releasing muscles of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, legs, feet, and toes.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
Theron did a lot of it herself, including the tense final climb, shot at Glenbrook Gorge and on a stage.
—Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
That said, a bunch of the new content looks very cool, including a tense survival drama, a Japanese psychic bio-drama, and a new take on Man on Fire.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Limited rib mobility interferes with the ability to breathe deeply, triggering your body’s stress response, which increases muscle tensing as a guarding mechanism.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
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
Keep tensing and releasing muscles of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, legs, feet, and toes.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
-
Around that time, Celeste’s family and friends became increasingly worried about her safety and whereabouts, urgently pleading for help from their neighbors, the public and police.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
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Two months into communicating with Niamh, not seeing any money flowing back into her crypto wallets, Holder became worried.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This kind of bare-knuckle politics might explain why so many other GOP leaders are uneasy.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The entire record is a Trojan horse—a clear vision of white womanhood that hides a whole lot of churning, uneasy feelings.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Organizers now hold the Israeli gathering at undisclosed venues and under tight security, broadcasting to multiple sites for those who wish to participate remotely.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Kevin May, a Delta A350 captain who is directly involved with the GEESE project, compares the flight pattern to cycling in tight packs.—
Megan Wollerton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This project made Cooper nervous for several reasons.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The players looked worked up at times and the fans are nervous.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Angels fans who had regained some faith in Yusei Kikuchi after last weekend’s encouraging start could only watch with frustration as all of that was wiped away in one disturbing inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Most disturbing about the Game 3 blowout was not the who, but the how.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shape dough into two taut balls.—
Emily Teel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2026
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Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie just can’t outrun his famously taut backside.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The president and his Cabinet members are giving conflicting statements about the impact of the war on gas prices as Americans grow more anxious about the economic toll that the conflict is taking.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
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This is the move that helps the shyest, most introverted, most socially anxious people relax.—
Henna Pryor,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Skeptics point out oral exams can be unsettling for students who are shy or have serious anxiety, but clarifying the format ahead of time and starting with softball questions can help, says Carolyn Aslan, who leads Cornell’s oral exam training.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
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West Texas Intermediate crude, the American benchmark, was once again nearing $100 per barrel, an unsettling development.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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