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
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Recent Examples of tense
Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
That said, a bunch of the new content looks very cool, including a tense survival drama, a Japanese psychic bio-drama, and a new take on Man on Fire.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Breezily elegant in execution and at times even Hitchcockian, The Girlfriend is a delicious thriller that tenses up with each new scene and revelation.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tense
Adjective
Theron did a lot of it herself, including the tense final climb, shot at Glenbrook Gorge and on a stage.
—Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
That said, a bunch of the new content looks very cool, including a tense survival drama, a Japanese psychic bio-drama, and a new take on Man on Fire.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Limited rib mobility interferes with the ability to breathe deeply, triggering your body’s stress response, which increases muscle tensing as a guarding mechanism.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Breezily elegant in execution and at times even Hitchcockian, The Girlfriend is a delicious thriller that tenses up with each new scene and revelation.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
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So how worried should these teams be?—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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People that maybe have a more precarious position in the industry and are worried and see AI as a threat — which is absolutely valid — and younger people, younger actors and musicians.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even after filling several roster holes in the NFL Draft, the Dolphins exited the weekend with a glaring need at safety and an uneasy situation on the edge, at wide receiver and at tight end.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Bruins managed to keep it tight through the end of the first, with the Sabres taking that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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In Illinois, Deppert says rising energy demand is feeding into already tight margins for farmers.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Palestinian Authority’s power has withered amid years without peace negotiations and Israel tightening its grip on the West Bank.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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There’s also Title Wave Books in Anchorage, which houses one of the most extensive collections of Indigenous American literature in the country, and Nā Mea Hawai'i, whose collection tightens its scope to Hawaiian culture and history.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the draft room, Bisciotti looked nervous as the pick approached, worried another team — or even his own GM — might snag Randall.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Some nervous Democrats and their allies worry that language could thwart installation of a Democratic majority in the next Congress.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Angels fans who had regained some faith in Yusei Kikuchi after last weekend’s encouraging start could only watch with frustration as all of that was wiped away in one disturbing inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Most disturbing about the Game 3 blowout was not the who, but the how.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Shape dough into two taut balls.—
Emily Teel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2026
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Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie just can’t outrun his famously taut backside.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The play is about Sarah, an anxious young woman living a double life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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That’s the blunt reality facing Senate Majority Leader John Thune as Republicans grow increasingly anxious about the end-game for one of the most consequential — and politically combustible — confirmation fights in recent memory.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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