Antonyms for tense


Grammar : Adj
Spell : tens
Phonetic Transcription : tɛns


Definition of tense

Origin :
  • "stretched tight," 1660s, from Latin tensus, past participle of tendere "to stretch" (see tenet). Sense of "in a state of nervous tension" is first recorded 1821.
  • adj tight, stretched
  • adj under stress, pressure
Example sentences :
  • Instead, only a tense horror that touched to the roots of emotion.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • "I don't understand this," said Linda, white lipped and tense.
  • Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter
  • They stood before him palpitating like birds, poised, tense for flight.
  • Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White
  • How tense they both had been, how afraid of each other, how she had irritated him!
  • Extract from : « Dust » by Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
  • The irregularity of the proceeding was unnoticed in the tense excitement.
  • Extract from : « The Underdog » by F. Hopkinson Smith
  • He waited, every nerve and fibre of him tense for her answer.
  • Extract from : « The Fortune Hunter » by Louis Joseph Vance
  • My memory is good, and I waited in tense eagerness for the phrase that came next.
  • Extract from : « Alarms and Discursions » by G. K. Chesterton
  • They were accustomed to these outbursts of her tense little nature and said no more.
  • Extract from : « Pee-wee Harris » by Percy Keese Fitzhugh
  • She glanced up, and even in the gloom she noticed how white and tense was his face.
  • Extract from : « Southern Lights and Shadows » by Various
  • All tense and trembling with eagerness and desire, he mastered his instinct and stood still.
  • Extract from : « White Fang » by Jack London

Synonyms for tense

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019