tenser; tensest
1
: stretched tight : made taut : rigid
tense muscles
2
a
: feeling or showing nervous tension
a tense smile
b
: marked by strain or suspense
a tense thriller
3
: produced with the muscles involved in a relatively tense state
the vowels \ē\ and \ü\ in contrast with the vowels \i\ and \u̇\ are tense
tensely
adverb
tenseness
noun
tensed; tensing
: to make tense
: to become tense
tensed up and missed the putt
1
: a distinction of form in a verb to express distinctions of time or duration of the action or state it denotes
2
a
: a set of inflectional forms of a verb that express distinctions of time
b
: an inflectional form of a verb expressing a specific time distinction
Synonyms
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
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Then, Indian troops moved into the area to block China – sparking a tense, 73-day standoff that threatened to pitch the rivals into conflict.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Noma Nazish, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Franklin’s in-game coaching decisions and curious clock management at the end of the first half helped seal the Nittany Lions’ reputation as a team that tenses up in big games.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2022
The plans haven’t been scrapped, but Bill Briggs, the dean of academic affairs, talks about them in the past tense.
—Matt Krupnick, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tense 
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Adjective
Double Feature Paddington 2 Another great villainous role for Hugh Grant, though not quite as tense, is in Paul King’s Paddington sequel.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Then, Indian troops moved into the area to block China – sparking a tense, 73-day standoff that threatened to pitch the rivals into conflict.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Stretching When the stress response is activated, your muscles tense up as a reflex to protect against pain or injury.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Franklin’s in-game coaching decisions and curious clock management at the end of the first half helped seal the Nittany Lions’ reputation as a team that tenses up in big games.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
The reality of the Russian present has become horrible, but the Russian future appears even more bleak: a joke that has gone viral on social media has it that English classes in Russian schools have stopped teaching the future simple tense—because Russia no longer has a simple future.
—Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2022
The plans haven’t been scrapped, but Bill Briggs, the dean of academic affairs, talks about them in the past tense.
—Matt Krupnick, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tense
Articles Related to tense
Dictionary Entries Near tense
Cite this Entry
“Tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tense. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tense
1 of 3 noun
: a form of a verb used to show the past, present, or future time of the action or state it denotes
tense
2 of 3 adjective
tenser; tensest
1
: stretched tight : made rigid
tense muscles
2
: feeling or showing nervous tension
a tense smile
3
: marked by strain or uncertainty
a tense moment
tensely
adverb
tenseness
noun
tense
3 of 3 verb
tensed; tensing
: to make or become tense
Etymology
Noun
Middle English tens "time, tense," from early French tens (same meaning), from Latin tempus "time" — related to temporary
Adjective
from Latin tensus "stretched tight," from tendere "to stretch" — related to tender entry 2
Medical Definition
tense
2 of 2 verb
tensed; tensing
: to make tense
tense a muscle
: to become tense
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