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.
—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
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
-
The analysts are worried about the software provider’s earnings in an environment where the federal budget is being cut.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2025
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If the Yankees are worried about pitching, Kevin Cash isn’t with his Rays.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Inflation, perhaps stiffened by tariffs, and uncertainty over the future of the labor market have left consumers feeling uneasy.—
DeArbea Walker,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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But the Armageddon-level stakes of unrest in the region should make anyone uneasy about mishaps.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
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Her hair was pulled back into a tight chignon with a few strands of wavy hair to frame her face.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Dogs might feel scared and nervous or have separation anxiety while home alone.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
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If people are scared and nervous, that in and of itself is harm.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
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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.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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.—
Josh Fellman,
Quartz,
4 Apr. 2025
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Not that Wendlinger is anxious for her time with the Mustangs to end.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 9 Apr. 2025.
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