Top synonyms for “tense”: strain, tense up, antsy, aroused, cliff-hanging, constricted, edgy, electric, and 25 more below.
Definitions
- (noun)a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
- (verb)cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious“he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up”
- (verb)become tense, nervous, or uneasy“He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room”
- (verb)increase the tension on“alternately relax and tense your calf muscle”
- (verb)become stretched or tense or taut“the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed”
- (adjective)taut or rigid; stretched tight“tense piano strings”
- (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
Definitions sourced from Princeton WordNet (BSD license).
All synonyms for Tense
Antonyms — opposite of Tense
Keep writing with Tense
Frequently Asked Questions
What is another word for "tense"?
Common synonyms for "tense" include strain, tense up, antsy, aroused, cliff-hanging, constricted. Our thesaurus lists 33 total alternatives drawn from Princeton WordNet. Click any synonym to find its rhymes.
What is the opposite of "tense"?
Antonyms for "tense" include lax, relax, relaxed. Use opposites in songwriting to create contrast, tension, or surprise within a verse.
What does "tense" mean?
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
How do I use synonyms when writing lyrics?
Synonyms give you more options to match syllable counts, meter, and rhyme schemes. When a word fits the meaning but not the rhythm, swap in a synonym with a different syllable count. Click any synonym above to jump straight to its rhyme page and continue writing.
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