tense 1 of 3

adjective

ˈten(t)s How to pronounce tense (audio)
Definition of tensenext
1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty was tense about the upcoming bar exam

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2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings a tense relationship existed between the two teachers

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3
as in tight
stretched with little or no give a tense rope

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tense

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to tighten
to draw tight he tensed his muscles and attempted to lift the heavy appliance onto the truck

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tensed

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of tense
as in tightened
to draw tight he tensed his muscles and attempted to lift the heavy appliance onto the truck

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tense
Adjective
The suit includes a timeline of events and exchanges between Koya and Sterling that grew tense as time went on. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Our review praised the terrific gunplay, tense matches, and incredible graphics. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
Ewing has recognized his shoulders tensing and his upper body going stiff. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026 Be a good child, do what they’re told, be the best child, a tremble in their hands, say nothing, tensed for the knock on the door. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Verb
The slope down to the sidewalk was barely an inch high, but everyone tensed. — IEEE Spectrum, 1 Apr. 2026 Everyone in the barber shop flinched at the sound and tensed their shoulders. — Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
  1. worried
  2. uneasy
  3. tight
  4. tighten
  5. nervous
  6. disturbing
  7. taut
  8. anxious
Adjective
  • Observers say the Student List party's policies remain vague, which has some worried about Serbia's future.
    — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Gas prices were safely below $3 a gallon, and, if anything, the energy market was worried about a supply glut that could keep fuel prices low.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • But bond markets are already uneasy with Brazil's growing debt-to-GDP ratio, and are likely to demand an ever-higher premium if public spending rises significantly.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The effort is backed by an uneasy alliance between the right-wing Make America Healthy Again movement and progressives, both motivated by concerns over food safety.
    — Elijah Wolfson, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Opinion polls predict tight race Domestically, Vucic has pledged higher pensions and public sector salaries, investment in state healthcare and subsidies for young couples.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Both parties expect whoever wins in November to do so by a tight margin in a state of 738,000 people.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of tight
Verb
  • Debt costs rise With credit conditions tightening, Goldman analysts said higher interest costs are now starting to eat into company margins.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Your first instinct may be to tighten your grip, but flexibility could serve you better.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of tighten
Adjective
  • That sounds appealing, especially to investors nervous about market declines.
    — Daniel Kern, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Shopkeepers boarded up windows while others opened temporarily and endured a nervous Saturday afternoon, after around 3,000 shops were damaged or looted last weekend.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • One of the most disturbing reasons given was that the DOT will never install a speed reducer closer than a distance of 1,000 feet (nearly a quarter of a mile) from a speed camera.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Family members reported objects disappearing, beds lifting, unexplained odors, and other disturbing occurrences in the house.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • Unlike straps, which work only when taut, struts are rigid and can resist forces pushing or pulling against the home.
    — Daniel Wolfe, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Director Robert Eggers delivers a taut, terrifying period piece with this tale of a 17th-century New England family expelled from their village and stalked by a witch — a movie that also put the then-fledgling studio A24 on the map.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of taut
Adjective
  • The director general was attempting to lift the gloom after being beset with questions from anxious employees about job losses, service reductions, and general retrenchment.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2026
  • An anxious child Apart from her scribbled notes, scant details are available about Runa’s experience in detention, according to her lawyer Yoshihiro Mukai.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxious

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Cite this Entry

“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tense

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tense

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