tense

[tens] / tɛns /

ADJECTIVE

tight, stretched

Synonyms

STRONGEST

strained

STRONG

close firm stiff

WEAK

rigid taut

Antonyms

STRONG

flexible loose soft

WEAK

calm limp limpid relaxed slack

ADJECTIVE

under stress, pressure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitated anxious apprehensive edgy excited jittery nervous restive shaky strained stressful uneasy

STRONG

choked clutched concerned moved moving shot unnerved wired worried worrying wreck

WEAK

beside oneself bundle of nerves fidgety fluttery high-strung hung up hyper in a tizzy jumpy nerve-racking nervous wreck on edge overanxious overwrought queasy restless shot to pieces strung-out unquiet up the wall uptight white knuckled wound-up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm composed easygoing laid-back unafraid unworried

STRONG

happy untroubled

WEAK

limp limpid loose relaxed slack uncaring

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Korda warmed up in case of a playoff, but a tense day ended without her returning to the course.

From Barron's

“I’ve always known she loves me. Present tense,” Chin said of her mother, with whom she remains close.

From Los Angeles Times

It is painful to have to write about Catherine O’Hara, so alive and lively a presence, in the past tense.

From Los Angeles Times

No one knows the answer to that last question, although nearly every local brought it up and seemed a little tense.

From Los Angeles Times

Going out in Minneapolis is tense, but “the feeling at shows has still been incredibly special,” Frank said.

From Los Angeles Times