Meaning of 'tense'

adjective

taut or rigid

adjective

pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in `beat')

adjective

in or of a state of physical or nervous tension

noun

a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

verb

cause to be uneasy or nervous or anxious

Example: "The corporation got a phone call from their lawyers that tensed them up."

Synonyms: strain

verb

become tense, nervous, or uneasy

Example: "I tensed up when I saw my enemies approaching."

Synonyms: tense up

verb

increase the tension on

Example: "alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"

verb

become stretched or tense or taut

Example: "the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed"

Synonyms: strain