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
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
John Liu, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
People are very understandably uncomfortable by this association with Elon Musk, following a very tense and scary political moment in the United States.
—Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 17 Mar. 2025
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025
Vanderbilt speech pathologist Jennifer Muckala added that Williams-Paisley’s muscles had been tensing up to compensate for her vocal cords.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
That deal was what brought Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House last month, but it wasn’t signed after his tense Oval Office meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
—John Liu, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
People are very understandably uncomfortable by this association with Elon Musk, following a very tense and scary political moment in the United States.
—Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Key Ingredients: Chantecaille’s mask is enriched with plant stem cells, four peptides, tensing agents, and nourishers to smooth and lift the skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025
Vanderbilt speech pathologist Jennifer Muckala added that Williams-Paisley’s muscles had been tensing up to compensate for her vocal cords.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
-
Former Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore is increasingly worried about the ongoing plunge in consumer confidence.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
-
If the Yankees are worried about pitching, Kevin Cash isn’t with his Rays.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The whole exchange left Brooke feeling a little uneasy.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Sudden shifts in tariffs and federal job cuts have left many investors feeling uneasy.—
Bruce Gil,
Quartz,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As the film progresses and the soundproof, indestructible walls of the vehicle close in tighter, the look and feel of the film intensifies and continues to build as Hopkins’ William becomes increasingly psychotic, using the programmed vehicle to, basically, torture its captive.—
Rosemary Rossi,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
-
But Callender promises the plot didn’t suffer as a result of tighter purse strings.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Dogs might feel scared and nervous or have separation anxiety while home alone.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
-
If people are scared and nervous, that in and of itself is harm.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Dragging combs and brushes through your lengths, tying styles with taut ties and ribbons, and even exposing hair to the elements all take their toll over time.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Varley’s grip, her taut observation of nerve-wracking isolation, loosens and the film devolves into a blunt and clichéd consideration of family.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As the end of the sale nears, the company running things becomes more and more anxious to sell as much of the merchandise as possible.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Highlight your expertise—maybe that's handling anxious children or those with special needs.—
Ajay Prasad,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The sight of a middle aged woman wearing a purple-and-yellow No. 77 Los Angeles Lakers jersey walking down Sunset Blvd. is still unsettling.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Pam Morris, 54, a freelance prop stylist, noticed another unsettling trend a few years ago, when a U.S. client asked her to art-direct a crew in Asia remotely for a shoot.—
Steven Kurutz,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share