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
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
Amid a tense judging that saw contestant Antonio Estrada clash with Heidi Klum, Law Roach, Nina Garcia, and Christian Siriano on Thursday's two-part premiere, Mundt was named the season's first challenge winner thanks to a jaw-dropping design inspired by Disney villains.
—EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Losing one-goal leads had threatened to become a theme against Dallas, but a fast start saw the Stars begin to tense up, instead of the other way ’round.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
The trauma has stuck with Eleanor ever since, making her relationship with her mother tense because Eleanor had to grow up fast, and her mother’s anxiety over everything grated on Eleanor.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
Amid a tense judging that saw contestant Antonio Estrada clash with Heidi Klum, Law Roach, Nina Garcia, and Christian Siriano on Thursday's two-part premiere, Mundt was named the season's first challenge winner thanks to a jaw-dropping design inspired by Disney villains.
—EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
Chronic impacts of emotional abuse can include anxiety, depression, insomnia, binge drinking or substance abuse and muscle tension from flinching or tensing up, Patel says.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Losing one-goal leads had threatened to become a theme against Dallas, but a fast start saw the Stars begin to tense up, instead of the other way ’round.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
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Many tourism leaders in gateway towns near them are worried tourists will start going elsewhere if the park experience or its environment gets eroded.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
24 July 2025
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Among the key findings: Fifty-six percent of consumers are worried about affording their school supplies due to price hikes from tariffs.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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She Rides Shotgun begins with one uneasy situation and ends on quite another, and the two hours in between are anything but comfortable.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
31 July 2025
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Step 3: Open the door and actually listen Senior leaders should become more visible, Burke says, especially to help coach managers who feel uneasy addressing tough topics.—
Alyshia Hull,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Angina is often felt beneath the breastbone, described as a heavy, tight, or pressure-like feeling, and is typically relieved with rest.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
2 Aug. 2025
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Developers face tighter deadlines and stricter sourcing rules.—
Lisa Setyon,Jeniece Pettitt,
CNBC,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The race is bound to tighten somewhat after the September preliminary election, when the field will be winnowed to just Kraft and Wu.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
22 July 2025
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However, more countries are looking to tighten restrictions on who can get a passport, making citizenship a more urgent goal.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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All 11 brought home at least one full point in Rome, the result of their talent but also of a cohesive approach where veteran Justin Rose was willing to be paired with nervous rookie Robert MacIntyre in fourball and sit the foursomes sessions.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
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Despite more than 50 years in show business – running the gamut of Broadway, TV and film − Martin Short refreshingly still feels nervous ahead of hosting his first game show.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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The board of the Regional Transportation Authority met Friday to discuss ways to respond to the cut, striking a note of optimism to counter the disturbing prediction for Tri-Rail’s future.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
25 July 2025
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This is a disturbing statistic and speaks to an increase in the total number of people defacing themselves, but also a rise in the amount of ink per person.—
Scott Liftman,
Boston Herald,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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The palate is taut and focused, with crisp citrus, ripe pear, and hints of toasted brioche and crushed oyster shell.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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The taut and well-crafted play imagines King’s final evening, where he’s exhausted by the relentless pace of his activist work, questioning his mission, hounded by the press, suspicious of government surveillance and afraid for his life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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With Iran and its proxies diminished and Gulf states anxious to diversify their economies, any prospect for broader peace and normalization runs through Riyadh.—
Edward Felsenthal,
Time,
23 July 2025
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This is their first major sit-down interview together, and both are a bit anxious.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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