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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Other Trump critics are worried about the humanitarian impact of cutting aid programs—Newsweek has reported on an AIDS foundation's estimation that more than 100,000 babies could be born with HIV as a result of Trump's freeze.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
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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Turow doesn’t think of his characters as people, exactly, but keeps their continuing stories tucked inside his imagination and felt a little uneasy, leaving Rusty hanging like that.—
Sarah Lyall,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This is the type of game — tight, tense, away from home — that Tottenham Hotspur never win.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
The Athletic,
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
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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Doing so causes an attached strap to pull the seat taut between them, ready to receive your butt.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
20 Jan. 2025
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Although there’s a loose randomness to the sequence of events, within particular sequences, the cutting is generally taut and riveting.—
Gail Williams,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 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
Adjective
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Bottom line While hair loss or thinning associated with medication can be unsettling, these effects are usually temporary and can often be helped with hair growth supplements or medication adjustments cleared by your doctor.—
Leslie Baumann,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2025
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The Cost of Care Report, by the Numbers Dr. Murthy’s advisory was unsettling yet validating for many, including Lacey.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
29 Jan. 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 11 Feb. 2025.
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