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
as in tightening
to draw tight
he tensed his muscles and attempted to lift the heavy appliance onto the truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
Sadly, we were robbed of any repulsive body horror on this lovely Halloween day (sorry, gore-hounds), but at least we were left with one helluva cliffhanger heading into its tense season closer.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 31 Oct. 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
Schultz also antagonized store workers during a time of tense relations between the company and employees during his third stint as CEO.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
Sadly, we were robbed of any repulsive body horror on this lovely Halloween day (sorry, gore-hounds), but at least we were left with one helluva cliffhanger heading into its tense season closer.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 31 Oct. 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
-
Although dissenters are worried about the cost, the climate change crisis harms everyone, even those who don’t live in a region that is at risk of wildfires.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
-
Authorities are worried about other health problems in the aftermath of the deadliest natural disaster in Spain’s recent history.Hernán Muñoz and Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
That raises uneasy questions about Worthington’s social fabric and how to celebrate distinct cultures while overcoming ethnic self-segregation.Giovanna Dell'orto, Twin Cities, 31 Oct. 2024
-
Apostates ties hunters with these organizations more closely as uneasy allies, rivals or even direct antagonists.Rob Wieland, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
The company’s markets wagered correctly and controversially in Donald Trump’s favor in bets on who would win the presidential election, even though opinion polls showed a tight race.Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
-
Incumbent Leonel Talavera and her opponent, Vanesa Estrella, are locked in a tight race for Area 5.Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Bucks that seem alert and nervous — look for twitchy ears and a constantly bobbing head — are more likely to detect you movement and are also more likely to duck arrows.Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
-
Voters interviewed at polling sites described losing sleep and waking up early, nervous and worried over who would win the election.Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The issue is complicated by the fact that those on X likely see Musk's posts with almost disturbing regularity.Peter Suciu, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
-
These are just some of the disturbing incidents that have taken place in the last 10 days alone.Tess Owen, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Unbearably taut, the 40-second sequence of people shrieking in suffering as they're pulled into Jean Jacket's maw proves that gore-free horror is equally, if not more, scarring.Keith Staskiewicz, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
-
The camera zooms in on Sue’s taut, luminescent flesh, which bounces in the light, causing the men around her to stare agog like cartoon characters.Daisy Jones, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
In Tucson, Arizona, David McCumber, the executive editor of the Arizona Daily Star, who manages the paper’s op-eds and letters to the editor, said voters are extremely anxious.Brian Stelter, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Zoom out: Americans have been worried and anxious about post-election violence and turmoil.Erin Doherty, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The great director Hiro Murai collaborated with Glover on one of the most unsettling half-hours of TV in the 2010s, an experience that unfolded without commercial breaks.Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
-
The only person who sees what’s disturbing about her is her daughter, Eva, and very soon all will see what is unsettling about her, too.Joe Otterson, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024
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 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share