WordWeb Online

1. Having inflections to indicate tense

1. Become stretched, tense or taut
   "the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed";
   - strain
    
2. Increase the tension on
   "alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"; "tense the rope manually before tensing the spring"
    
3. Become tense, nervous, or uneasy
   "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room";
   - tense up
    
4. Cause to be tense and uneasy, nervous or anxious
   "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up";
   - strain, tense up

See also: finite

Type of: affect, alter, change, change state, modify, tighten, turn

Antonym: slow down, unwind

Encyclopedia: Tensed, Id