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
Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
Throughout much of the 2023 season, Hurts and Sirianni reportedly navigated through a somewhat tense relationship.
—Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
Michelle Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024
And that lack of oxygen makes our muscles tense up and restricts blood flow.
—Marielle Segarra, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tense 
Adjective
Poses that stretch the area around the sciatica nerve, such as those that stretch the glutes or piriformis, or butt muscles, can help relax tense muscles that may cause more sciatic nerve pain.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
Throughout much of the 2023 season, Hurts and Sirianni reportedly navigated through a somewhat tense relationship.
—Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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
And that lack of oxygen makes our muscles tense up and restricts blood flow.
—Marielle Segarra, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
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How worried should the team be about his availability for the playoffs?—
AAron Ontiveroz,
The Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2025
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But in the early days of the second Donald Trump presidency, LGBTQ+ communities across the U.S. are more worried about their digital privacy than ever before.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Seeing Riley gain so much notoriety and money made some people uneasy.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
31 Jan. 2025
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How Passengers React to Unusual In-Flight Situations While the OP's flight ended without incident, situations like these often make passengers uneasy.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The pose also stretches the piriformis muscle, a small muscle deep in the buttocks that can cause sciatic pain when tight.—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
3 Feb. 2025
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The wine list will be short and tight, but those interested can see a bit longer list, while cocktails, of course, will include and Old Fashioned as well as a Wisconsin Old Fashioned.—
Susan Stapleton,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Yuma Border Patrol is adding over a mile of razor wire east of the San Luis Port of Entry in an effort to tighten security at the southern border and prevent unlawful crossings.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
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As a result, if sustained, the tariffs announced this weekend would reduce our S & P 500 EPS forecasts by roughly 2-3%, not taking into account any additional impact from major financial conditions tightening or a larger-than-expected effect of policy uncertainty on corporate or consumer behavior.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Both Hancock and Quaid recall their first meeting about the script — especially how nervous the actor was.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
4 Feb. 2025
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These tips can help nervous flyers manage or overcome their fear of the skies.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But even for Ye, his abrupt public embrace of antisemitism and counterintuitive right-wing political rhetoric, resulting in his bringing avowed white nationalist Nick Fuentes to dine with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, has been disturbing.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
7 Feb. 2025
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During the investigation, other facility staff showed deputies a disturbing video that was sent to them in a group chat from Rice.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Two years later, the production version was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, looking almost identical to the initial vision — its taut, clean lines and aggressive proportions still every bit worthy of a concept car dream.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2025
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Their leading scorer sidelined by an ankle injury, their offense having gone cold, their defense reeling, their ability to make free throws having failed them, the Bruins pulled out a taut 82-76 victory over USC thanks to some heroics from Sebastian Mack.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Related article More kids are anxious but fewer are getting the right help, study shows New fears and anxieties tend to develop and vary as children and adolescents grow and adapt to new environments, Silverman said.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
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The person in question has legal status and was feeling anxious about the Trump administration's hardline immigration agenda.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to tense
Thesaurus Entries Near tense
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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