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
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
After clips of a tense exchange between California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter and a CBS television reporter emerged last year, videos on social media that purportedly showed Porter and the reporter in a physical altercation went viral.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
My skin felt dirty, and my stomach tensed with fear.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
Still, fans expressed hope for a familial reconciliation despite the tense times.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
After clips of a tense exchange between California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter and a CBS television reporter emerged last year, videos on social media that purportedly showed Porter and the reporter in a physical altercation went viral.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
While biting, their jaw muscles tensed to squeeze venom into their meal.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
My skin felt dirty, and my stomach tensed with fear.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
-
Capital expenditures, which are closely watched by investors who are worried about overspending, are expected to range between $175 billion to $185 billion in 2026.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
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But Willie Brown, the former mayor and speaker was not worried that Newsom would overly burnish his own story in his book.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Stage’s version translates the already uneasy feelings of hearing acid house reduced to happy-go-lucky plastic into something out of an actual acid trip.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Bashar is on the left, his body slightly angled away, his face uneasy.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The massacre prompted a national reckoning about violence against women and led to tighter gun laws.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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However, despite workers’ noticeable preference for remote positions, the demands of employers and a much tighter job market suggest many may need to adjust to the new realities of the marketplace.—
Victoria Baeza Garcia,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Facialist and skin care innovator Georgia Louise likens cryo facials to other tightening treatments like soft wave.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
When force is applied in the driving direction, torque tightens or loosens a fastener.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Kansas sophomore guard Jamari McDowell actually didn’t have time to get nervous — or overthink his role — after learning freshman sensation Darryn Peterson would miss Monday’s game against Arizona because of flu-like symptoms.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
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Investors would understandably be nervous when both the CFO and the general counsel depart, according to Shivaram Rajgopal, an accounting professor at Columbia Business School.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Keira, a junior, said current events have been disturbing.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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Protesters gathered outside of an Inglewood daycare facility on Friday to express their outrage over a disturbing video that shows a teacher throwing her shoe at a 5-year-old student with autism in January.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What ensues is a brilliantly taut ensemble piece.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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The taut scenes provide the actors with a playing field to shine individually in heated arguments, sobering moments of empathy and painfully honest talks about what comes after a life-altering event.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The Fall-Off can sometimes feel simpatico and obvious, with mellifluously soulful tones that conjure an air of anxious nostalgia.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
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At the same time, consumers appeared less anxious about inflation.—
Benzinga,
Freep.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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