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
Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
That scene was so tense, and seeing Maddie stop her was fantastic.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 6 Feb. 2025
Markham Heid, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
The unidentified caseworker was described in court documents as having his eyes bulging, drooling and his arm muscles tensing during the attack.
—Michelle Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
The big picture: Trump, who had a tense relationship with the Kennedy Center in his first term, now appears to be taking control of the art institution and removing adversaries from its board.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
That scene was so tense, and seeing Maddie stop her was fantastic.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
For example, progressive muscle relaxation therapy—an intervention that involves systematically tensing and then relaxing the body’s muscles—was found to reduce anxiety and depression in patients with prostate cancer, according to research in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
—Markham Heid, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
The unidentified caseworker was described in court documents as having his eyes bulging, drooling and his arm muscles tensing during the attack.
—Michelle Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
-
Extending safety Kyle Hamilton is likely a top priority for the Ravens' front office, but Hamilton isn't too worried about his contract.—
Brian Wacker,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
-
That’s a lot of CO2, something airlines are increasingly worried about.—
Jackie Snow,
Quartz,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The resolution is seeking $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years, measures that have met opposition from Democrats and made some Republicans uneasy.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
In my conversations with barbecue people, there was often uneasy tension about whether craft barbecue is something new or a return to an old way of doing things.—
Rachel Monroe,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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By relaxing the rule, Nevada might get access to additional eggs, but the supply of all eggs remains tight because nearly 159 million birds have been slaughtered since the bird flu outbreak began in 2022 to help limit virus spread.—
Josh Funk,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Because of the ferrets’ long, slim shape and the necessity of not making the collars too tight, the wily animals can slip out of the trackers, Boulerice said.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Atop all this, Floria is charged with supervising nervous, error-prone student nurse Amelie (Selma) — tempers fray as precious time runs out.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
-
In the final round, a nervous Castle missed his first four dunk attempts for his first dunk of the round, before finishing with pizzaz on a between-the-legs up-and-under one-handed flush.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Warning: The following story elements, including photos and video, may be disturbing to some readers.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The feature take is set amidst the 4th of July celebration, as a disturbing figure named Tommy Taffy emerges.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, the director’s latest delivers a taut, empathetic drama that captures the stressful realities nurses face.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
-
When what was once taut becomes looser, thinner, and a bit wrinkled, the best crepey-skin treatments will give your skin a smoother, tighter appearance (with consistent use as directed by the brand, of course).—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Socially anxious and snobby, Victoria is dedicated to keeping her three children on the same affluent life path she's followed.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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That is a disconcerting, even chilling prospect for sources in the news division, who see the legendary house of Murrow and Cronkite caught in the middle as controlling Paramount Global shareholder Shari Redstone is anxious to close the transaction.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As she’s taken away, Evie locks eyes with Danny and smiles in a way that is incredibly unsettling.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
24 Feb. 2025
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The 5-3-2 formation worked, captain Jarrod Bowen led by example, Mohammed Kudus was everywhere and West Ham turned a potentially unsettling afternoon into an affirmation of their character and togetherness.—
Roshane Thomas,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to tense
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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