HyperDic: tense

English > 8 senses of the word tense:
ADJECTIVEalltensein or of a state of physical or nervous tension
alltensepronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in 'beat')
alltensetaut or rigid
NOUNcommunicationtensea grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
VERBcontacttense, strainbecome stretched or tense or taut
changetenseincrease the tension on
bodytense, tense upbecome tense, nervous, or uneasy
bodytense, strain, tense upcause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
tense > pronunciation
Soundsteh'ns
Rhymescommence ... whence: 23 rhymes with ehns...
English > tense: 8 senses > adjective 1
MeaningIn or of a state of physical or nervous tension.
Narrowerantsy, fidgety, fretful, itchyNervous and unable to relax
aroused, wound upBrought to a state of great tension
cliff-hanging, suspenseful, suspensive, nail-biting(of a situation) characterized by or causing suspense
edgy, high-strung, highly strung, jittery, jumpy, nervy, overstrung, restive, uptightIn a tense state
electric(of a situation) exceptionally tense
isotonicOf two or more muscles
nervouseasily agitated
pumped-up, pumped up, pumped, wiredtense with excitement and enthusiasm as from a rush of adrenaline
strainedShowing signs of mental and emotional tension
tautsubjected to great tension
unrelaxedNor relaxed
See alsoagitatedTroubled emotionally and usually deeply
uneasylacking a sense of security or affording no ease / ease or reassurance
OppositerelaxedWithout strain / strain or anxiety
Spanishtenso
Nounstenseness(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
Adverbstenselyin a tense / tense manner
English > tense: 8 senses > adjective 2
Meaningpronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in 'beat').
CategoryphoneticsThe branch of acoustics concerned with speech processes including its production and perception and acoustic analysis
Narrowerconstrictedespecially tense
Oppositelaxpronounced with muscles of the tongue and jaw relatively relaxed (e.g., the vowel sound in 'bet')
Spanishtenso
English > tense: 8 senses > adjective 3
Meaningtaut or rigid; stretched tight.
Example"tense piano strings"
NarroweroverstrungToo tightly strung
taut, tightPulled or drawn tight
See alsotightClosely constrained or constricted or constricting
OppositelaxLacking in strength or firmness or resilience
Spanishrígido, tenso, tirante
Nounstensity, tensenessthe physical condition of being stretched or strained
English > tense: 8 senses > noun 1, communication
MeaningA grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time.
NarroweraoristA verb tense in some languages (classical Greek and Sanskrit) expressing action (especially past action) without indicating its completion or continuation
future, future tenseA verb tense that expresses actions or states in the future
past, past tenseA verb tense that expresses actions or states in the past
perfective, perfective tense, perfect, perfect tenseA tense of verbs used in describing action that has been completed (sometimes regarded as perfective aspect)
present, present tenseA verb tense that expresses actions or states at the time of speaking
progressive, progressive tense, imperfect, imperfect tense, continuous tenseA tense of verbs used in describing action that is on-going
Broadergrammatical category, syntactic category(grammar) a category of words having the same grammatical properties
Spanishtiempo
Catalantemps
English > tense: 8 senses > verb 1, contact
Meaningbecome stretched or tense or taut.
PatternSomething ----s
Example"the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed"
Synonymstrain
BroadertightenBecome tight / tight / tight / tight / tight or tighter / tighter / tighter / tighter / tighter
Spanishtensarse, tensar
Nounstensionthe action of stretching something tight
tension(physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body
English > tense: 8 senses > verb 2, change
Meaningincrease the tension on.
PatternSomebody ----s something; Something ----s something
Examples
  • "alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"
  • "tense the rope manually before tensing the spring"
Broaderchange, alter, modifyCause to change
Spanishatesar, tensar, tesar
Catalanestirar, tensar, tesar, tibar
Nounstensionthe action of stretching something tight
tension(physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body
English > tense: 8 senses > verb 3, body
MeaningBecome tense, nervous, or uneasy.
PatternSomething ----s; Somebody ----s; Somebody's (body part) ----s
Example"He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room"
Synonymtense up
Caused bytense, strain, tense upCause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
Broaderchange state, turnUndergo a transformation or a change of position or action
Oppositerelax, loosen up, unbend, unwind, decompress, slow downBecome less tense, rest, or take one's ease
Spanishponerse tenso, tensarse
Catalantensar-se, tesar-se, tibar-se
Nounstensionthe physical condition of being stretched or strained
tensorany of several muscles that cause an attached structure to become tense or firm
English > tense: 8 senses > verb 4, body
MeaningCause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious.
PatternSomebody ----s something; Something ----s somebody
Example"he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"
Synonymsstrain, tense up
Cause totense, tense upBecome tense, nervous, or uneasy
Narrowerstretch, extendExtend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body
Broaderaffectact physically on
Oppositerelax, unstrain, unlax, loosen up, unwind, make relaxedCause to feel relaxed
Spanishtensarse, tensar
Catalantensar, tibar
Nounstensionthe physical condition of being stretched or strained

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