1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
was tense about the upcoming bar exam
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
a tense relationship existed between the two teachers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tight
stretched with little or no give
a tense rope
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of tense
David K. Li, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2024
The relationship between Jackson and the Ravens seemed to deteriorate through the pandemic and what turned into a tense standoff regarding a new contract.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
Erica Sloan, SELF, 15 Aug. 2024
There's also Pranayama Fire Breath—the forceful exhalations through tensing the abs, which has been found to help with cognitive function.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tense 
Adjective
Traffic infractions against Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill — which escalated to a tense police confrontation caught on video two months ago — were summarily dismissed on Monday when officers didn't come to court, records showed.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2024
The relationship between Jackson and the Ravens seemed to deteriorate through the pandemic and what turned into a tense standoff regarding a new contract.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
Then the phone would ring, and you would be tensed up.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 15 Aug. 2024
There's also Pranayama Fire Breath—the forceful exhalations through tensing the abs, which has been found to help with cognitive function.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
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Ben Affleck is not worried about AI taking over Hollywood.Zack Sharf, Variety, 18 Nov. 2024
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At the same time, Democrats hoped that all their voters would be willing to cast their ballot for democracy, not realizing that many working-class Americans, even the liberal ones, are more worried about the economy and inflation.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The idea of semitrucks without drivers makes Kentucky Republican state Sen. Greg Elkins uneasy.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Feeling uneasy or insecure in such situations is completely natural—and a valid reaction, at that.Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Other opponents, including Michael Shanks, a member of Parliament, believe the bill in its current form isn’t tight enough to prevent possible coercion or other risks for patients.Callie Patteson, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
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Now, Harris has edged out Trump, but the margin of victory is on trend to be much tighter than seen in past elections.Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The proposal was, in fact, a calculated business maneuver designed to bring in billions of dollars in new revenue, box competitors out of lucrative government contracts and tighten the company’s grip on federal business.Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024
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In recent days, the race between Trump and Harris has seemingly tightened as betting markets – which previously showed Trump as favorite – narrowed, and with pollsters describing it as a 50-50 toss up.John Hyatt, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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There’s really nothing to be nervous about, just the optics of everything.Peter A. Berry, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2024
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Still, Trump kept Republicans nervous by mixing in messages of grievance up until the very end of the race, veering off a script on inflation and immigration that operatives believed was more effective in winning over persuadable voters.Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Here are two reasons behind these often disturbing experiences, according to research.Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
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In court, attorneys for the state also described a disturbing scene.Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Holding skin taut, glide tool across damp skin, treating each area no more than twice.Emily Orofino, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
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The veteran prestige-TV drama director Michael Dinner (who had previously worked with Silo creator Graham Yost on Justified) and the show’s crew keep the action taut, tense, and easy to follow as Juliette survives several potentially fatal setbacks and just keeps going.Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Boutin has been in remission from thyroid cancer since August, but just had a related surgery last week and the couple was anxious about Boutin inhaling any smoke.CNN.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Joe Biden lost North Carolina by just over one percentage point in 2020, but Harris has been tied or ahead in several recent polls there, and the Trump campaign has been increasingly anxious about it.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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