Tense (Verb)
Meaning 1
Become stretched or tense or taut; "the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed"; "the rope strained when the weight was attached".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- Her muscles tensed in anticipation of the loud noise.
- The rope strained and then tensed when the weight was attached.
- His facial muscles tensed up in anger as he heard the insult.
- The wires tensed and then snapped under the immense pressure.
- Her entire body tensed when she saw the snake slipping silently towards her.
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Meaning 2
Become tense, nervous, or uneasy; "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- As she stood on the edge of the high cliff, her body tensed in fear of the seemingly endless drop below.
- Her muscles tensed as she prepared for the intense workout that awaited her at the gym.
- The team's coach tensed up when the opposing team scored yet another goal in the first quarter.
- She tensed as her husband revealed to her that they were deep in debt.
- His jaw tensed and his fists clenched as he tried to suppress his anger towards the rude driver who had almost collided with him.
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Meaning 3
Cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious; "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- Her first skydiving experience tensed her up something fierce.
- The argument between the two politicians tensed the atmosphere in the room.
- The thought of having to give a speech in front of thousands of people tensed John up.
- The sound of thunder suddenly tensed the horses and they bolted out of the stable.
- Waiting for the results of the medical test tensed her up so much that she couldn't eat dinner.
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Meaning 4
Increase the tension on; "alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"; "tense the rope manually before tensing the spring".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- To sail efficiently, the crew had to tense the sail tightly in the strong wind.
- You need to tense your stomach muscles to maintain good posture while standing.
- The hunter tensed the bowstring quietly before releasing the arrow.
- Slowly tense the rope to test its strength before adding more weight.
- To add tension to the suspension bridge, they had to tense the cables manually.