1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
was tense about the upcoming bar exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tight
stretched with little or no give
a tense rope
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tense
Melissa Noel, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025
The former, co-directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, is a tense thriller that turns the final 20 minutes of Civil War into a feature-length set piece in the Middle East, and the latter, directed by Resurrection producer Alex Scharfman, is a giddy eat-the-rich satire featuring enormous puppets.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 1 Apr. 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
While Trump and Musk haven’t responded to the speech, Booker’s marathon moment comes at a tense time for Democrats.
—Verb
Key Ingredients: Chantecaille’s mask is enriched with plant stem cells, four peptides, tensing agents, and nourishers to smooth and lift the skin.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for tense
Adjective
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Colleges are also worried about the impact of immigration policies under President Donald Trump on the recruitment of international students.—
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What's more, despite the fact that the majority of parents limit their teen's digital usage, most remain worried that they will be exposed to harms online.—
Adjective
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Inflation, perhaps stiffened by tariffs, and uncertainty over the future of the labor market have left consumers feeling uneasy.—
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But the Armageddon-level stakes of unrest in the region should make anyone uneasy about mishaps.—
Adjective
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The Grizzlies, which entered with losses in seven of their last eight games and recently made a coaching change, are in a tight race in the Western Conference to avoid the NBA’s play-in tournament.—
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Her hair was pulled back into a tight chignon with a few strands of wavy hair to frame her face.—
Verb
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Italy is drastically tightening its citizenship requirements, ending the dream for many thousands hoping to get an Italian passport through ancestry.—
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Export controls may also tighten further on strategic minerals.—
Adjective
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Teachers are nervous about a new online portal where students or parents can file complaints about diversity, equity and inclusion lessons in class with the U.S. Department of Education.—
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People get nervous, especially when a show is so popular.—
Adjective
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Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
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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.—
Adjective
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Clooney and Heslov’s taut script stays on target, resisting any expansion of a story that clocks in a speedy 100 minutes.—
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The result is a wine whose taut acidity is balanced by a delicately creamy texture that carries notes of passionfruit, green apples, lime blossoms, a hint of fresh-cut tarragon, and a spine of crunchy minerality that rides through the lively finish.—
Adjective
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Not that Wendlinger is anxious for her time with the Mustangs to end.—
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Friday, a government report showed that the U.S. labor market held up better than expected in March despite the federal government’s layoffs, the crackdown on immigrants, and surveys showing that consumers and businesses are increasingly anxious about the economy.—
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tense. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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