1. tense
noun. ['ˈtɛns'] a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time.
Synonyms
- imperfect tense
- present
- past tense
- progressive
- imperfect
- continuous tense
- grammatical category
- syntactic category
- perfect
- perfective
- present tense
- progressive tense
- perfect tense
- perfective tense
- future tense
- future
- past
Antonyms
- quiet
- unexcited
- patient
- composed
Etymology
- tens (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
- tempus (Latin)
- tensus (Latin)
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Words that Rhyme with Tense
- misrepresents
- nondefense
- commonsense
- suspense
- expense
- dispense
- condense
- incense
- defense
- defence
- commence
- whence
- spens
- spence
- offense
- immense
- ferenc
- thence
- sense
- pense
- pence
- hense
- hence
- fence
- dense
- cents
- bence
Example sentences of the word tense
1. Noun, singular or mass
Remove yourself from the situation and give yourself as much time as you need to feel less tense.
2. Adjective
And if they feel like another employee is to blame for their problems, a tense situation can occur.
3. Verb, base form
A cervical disk bulge can cause your posture to suffer due to tense muscles.
Quotes containing the word tense
1. The past is always tense, the future perfect.
- Zadie Smith
2. Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.
- Joan Lunden
3. I’ve had a tense couple of days. And I’ve got to tell you, burning someone’s face off sounds like a great way to relax.
- Jim Butcher, Small Favor
2. tense
adjective. ['ˈtɛns'] pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in `beat').
Antonyms
- wireless
Etymology
- tens (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
- tempus (Latin)
- tensus (Latin)
3. tense
verb. ['ˈtɛns'] increase the tension on.
Synonyms
- change
- alter
Antonyms
- unsexy
- passionless
- unawakened
Etymology
- tens (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
- tempus (Latin)
- tensus (Latin)
4. tense
adjective. ['ˈtɛns'] taut or rigid; stretched tight.
Synonyms
- overstrung
- tight
Antonyms
- lax
- decisive
- smooth
Etymology
- tens (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
- tempus (Latin)
- tensus (Latin)
5. tense
adjective. ['ˈtɛns'] in or of a state of physical or nervous tension.
Synonyms
- jumpy
- wired
- uptight
- isotonic
- agitated
- cliff-hanging
- highly strung
- nervous
- pumped up
- pumped-up
- uneasy
- jittery
- edgy
- electric
- taut
- nail-biting
- restive
- fretful
- aroused
- strained
- unrelaxed
- wound up
- suspenseful
- pumped
- itchy
- overstrung
- high-strung
- antsy
- nervy
- fidgety
Antonyms
- relaxed
- unagitated
- unbound
- hypertonic
Etymology
- tens (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
- tempus (Latin)
- tensus (Latin)
6. tense
verb. ['ˈtɛns'] cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious.
Synonyms
- tense up
- extend
- affect
- strain
Antonyms
- unstrain
- steady
- untroubled
- unexcitable
Etymology
- tens (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
- tempus (Latin)
- tensus (Latin)
7. tense
verb. ['ˈtɛns'] become tense, nervous, or uneasy.
Synonyms
- turn
- tense up
Antonyms
- comfortable
- restful
- unexciting
Etymology
- tens (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
- tempus (Latin)
- tensus (Latin)
8. tense
verb. ['ˈtɛns'] become stretched or tense or taut.
Synonyms
- strain
Antonyms
- graceful
- painless
Etymology
- tens (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
- tempus (Latin)
- tensus (Latin)