tense
verb [I or T] /tens/ (also tense up)Definition
› If you or your muscles tense, your muscles become stiff and tight because you are frightened or nervous, or are preparing yourself to do something: Don't tense your shoulders, just relax. I could feel myself tense up as he touched my neck.Tight and tightening tensed up › very nervous and worried and unable to relax because of something that is going to happen: You seem very tensed up. Are you still waiting for that call?Anxious and worried
(Definition of tense verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- close-fitting adjective
- fast adverb, adjective
- serried adjective
- snug adjective
- stiffen verb (FIRM)
- stiffen verb (LESS RELAXED)
- strain verb (PRESSURE)
- taut adjective (TIGHT)
- tauten verb
- tension noun (STRETCH)
- tight adjective (UNCOMFORTABLE)
- tight adjective, adverb
- tighten sth up phrasal verb
- tighten verb
- tightly adverb
- up adverb (TIGHTLY)
- vice-like adjective
Topic:
Tight and tightening
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