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
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Recent Examples of tense
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Some lawyers in Texas have spoken out in criticism of a judge who was seen on video in a tense exchange with an IT worker, prompting an escalating, unusual and public feud.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
On April 5, while transiting the bold and fiery sign of Aries, the sun will meet with Jupiter in Cancer, in a tense but enlightening square.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Some lawyers in Texas have spoken out in criticism of a judge who was seen on video in a tense exchange with an IT worker, prompting an escalating, unusual and public feud.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
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
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
-
Democrats are worried that our troops eat too well.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But, for now, some leaders remain worried about what happens next.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That neighbor also raised concerns about security, saying fewer on-site resources and changes in how calls are handled have left some people feeling uneasy.—
Daniel Wilkerson,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
As the war in Iran stretches into a fifth week, investors who had been hopeful for a quick resolution are growing increasingly uneasy about the real-world fallout from the conflict.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
China started restricting tungsten exports just over a year ago, and in December called for tighter limits on sulfuric acid exports.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In Saudi Arabia, banks are also dealing with tight liquidity.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran appeared to tighten its grip on the strait on Thursday, when its media reported that the government is drafting a protocol with Oman to monitor traffic.—
Arsalan Shahla,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Luke Evangelista scored the only goal of the shootout in the eighth round, and the Nashville Predators tightened the Western Conference playoff race with a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Who isn’t nervous meeting the prospective in-laws for the first time?—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Jason Bateman delivers the mundane analogy like a pro, blending sincerity and uncertainty inside his singular, nervous vocal rhythms.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Drama stars Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as Charlie and Emma, a young couple whose lives and upcoming wedding are thrown into disarray when the latter drunkenly reveals a disturbing secret from her past.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The details her 10-year-old daughter provided were disturbing for any parent to hear.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Tom had to insure that my breast was pulled completely taut.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
-
All around the skiff, pink river dolphins pop up for air, their taut blush bodies arcing briefly before vanishing with barely a splash.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel each day, disrupting the lives of millions of anxious and exhausted voters.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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Investors have grown more anxious about inflation, with Treasury yields rising and consumer surveys showing short‑term price expectations drifting upward.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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