tense
adjective
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Definition of tense
(Entry 1 of 3)
tense
verbDefinition of tense (Entry 2 of 3)
tense
nounDefinition of tense (Entry 3 of 3)
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Synonyms & Antonyms for tense
Synonyms: Adjective
aflutter, antsy, anxious, atwitter, dithery, edgy, goosey, het up, hinky [slang], hung up, ill at ease, insecure, jittery, jumpy, nervous, nervy, perturbed, queasy (also queazy), troubled, uneasy, unquiet, upset, uptight, worried
Synonyms: Verb
strain, stretch, tauten, tighten
Antonyms: Adjective
calm, collected, cool, easy, happy-go-lucky, nerveless, relaxed
Antonyms: Verb
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Examples of tense in a Sentence
Adjective
She was feeling pretty tense. Why are you so tense? We sat quietly for a few tense moments. It was a tense meeting. My calf muscles are really tense.Verb
She tensed as he walked toward her. He tensed up and missed the putt.Noun
The sentence will read better if you change the tense of the verb. You should avoid changing tense in the middle of a paragraph.
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
The end of the Anthony Davis era in New Orleans was tense and many Pelicans fans feel the star big man skipped town without delivering. — Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, "NBA schedule released: Must-see games of 2019-20 season," 12 Aug. 2019 On Monday, the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha was a tense and muted affair instead of a joyous occasion as security forces flooded the streets of Srinagar, the Kashmiri capital. — Joanna Slater, BostonGlobe.com, "India detains local politicians in Kashmir, deepens crackdown," 12 Aug. 2019 On Monday, the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha was a tense and muted affair instead of a joyous occasion as security forces flooded the streets of Srinagar, the Kashmiri capital. — Joanna Slater, Washington Post, "‘What is our crime?’: Detentions of politicians deepen crackdown in Kashmir," 12 Aug. 2019 The third episode, in which yet another catastrophic Roy conference leads to the breakdown of social mores, makes for one of the tensest, most excruciating hours of television in modern memory. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Succession Is Better Than Ever," 11 Aug. 2019 Conventional but effectively so, more tense and involving than might be anticipated as obstacles pile on obstacles, this emotionally affecting story knows enough not to push too hard and reaps the benefits from its relative restraint. — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times, "Review: Aldis Hodge shines in ‘Brian Banks’ as a man fighting to clear his name," 8 Aug. 2019 Conventional but effectively so, more tense and involving than might be anticipated as obstacles pile on obstacles, this emotionally affecting story knows enough not to push too hard and reaps the benefits from its relative restraint. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Aldis Hodge shines in ‘Brian Banks’ as a man fighting to clear his name," 8 Aug. 2019 Ahead of Monday's announcements, the mood in Kashmir was already tense, as residents rushed to secure essential supplies. — Nikhil Kumar, CNN, "Kashmir in lockdown as India reveals plan to change state's status," 5 Aug. 2019 These are also films that have understood that having a connection with the villain makes the whole story so much more tense and powerful. — Jacob Kastrenakes, The Verge, "New trailers: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Zombieland: Double Tap, and more," 27 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
After knocking on an apartment door, Relyea found Arbitelle standing behind it, tensing his arms and standing in what the officer described as an aggressive posture. — Nicholas Rondinone, courant.com, "Danbury officer, under investigation for police shooting this month, cleared in deadly 2018 shooting," 12 July 2019 The negotiation On Day 3 , a dozen picks into the 11th round, things at the Czajkowski house started to tense up. — Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Why the top high school player in Michigan went undrafted," 9 June 2019 Experiment with keeping your muscles in your body tensed, and also with relaxing them. — Vanessa Marin, Allure, "Ask a Sex Therapist: Help, I Can't Tell If I Just Had My First Orgasm or Not," 16 July 2018 Progressive muscle relaxation is simply tensing and relaxing various muscle groups in the body, explains Bonior. — Casey Gueren, SELF, "We Asked Therapists How to Feel a Little Bit Better This Week. Here are Their Self-Care Tips," 3 Oct. 2018 Willa relented, though her shoulders hunched, her face tensing through the initial strokes. — David Gilbert, The New Yorker, "Fungus," 4 June 2017 When Harris felt something inConde's sock, Conde tensed up and turned on the officer, according to the report. — Uriel J. Garcia, azcentral, "Mesa police video shows officers punching, mocking man in drug arrest," 13 June 2018 Imagine the scene: Arms tensed, bow flexed, a hunter on the African savanna draws in a slow breath as his prey moves into view. — Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, "Beyond the Condom," 11 May 2018 Castillo Laffita and Marcel Mendez also begin to tense up. — Jeffrey Gantz, BostonGlobe.com, "DanzAbierta’s ‘MalSon’ evokes contemporary Havana," 17 Mar. 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The revenue generated by speed and red-light cameras — tense of millions of dollars, shows the extent of the problem. —