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tense1
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- pronunciation:
- tens
- parts of speech:
- adjective, verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective, verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
tenser, tensest |
| definition 1: |
pulled or stretched tightly.
The strings on a violin must be tense.- synonyms:
- stretched, taut, tight
- antonyms:
- slack
- similar words:
- drawn, inflexible, rigid, stiff
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| definition 2: |
unable to relax one's body or emotions.
My father sounds tense when I call him at work.- synonyms:
- high-strung, nervous
- antonyms:
- calm, placid, relaxed, relaxed
- similar words:
- anxious, edgy, on edge
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adverb + (adj.)tense
potentially, pretty, racially, very
(adj.)tense
+ noun
anxiety,
arousal,
beat,
conversation,
courtroom,
drama,
encounter,
expression,
face,
gesture,
glance,
meeting,
minute,
moment,
muscle,
negotiation,
pause,
posture,
relation,
relationship,
second,
session,
shift,
silence,
situation,
smile,
struggle,
whisper
[See all][See only the most frequent]
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| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
tenses, tensing, tensed |
| definition: |
to make or become tense.
He tensed his leg muscles.The dog tensed at the sound of footsteps outside.- synonyms:
- tighten
- antonyms:
- relax
- similar words:
- constrict, contract
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| related words: |
stretch |
adverb + (v.)tense
bit, extremely, immediately, increasingly, incredibly, instantly, past, somewhat, tight, visibly
(v.)tense
+ adverb
slightly
(v.)tense
+ noun
anger, anticipation, atmosphere, trigger, wheel
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| derivations: |
tensely (adv.), tenseness (n.) |
The word tense
contains the following part:
tend, tent, tens
Latin
root
that means stretch
  Example words:
attend, attendance, attention, contend, extend, extent, intend, intent, intention, tendency, tendon, tense, tension, tent
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