2tense verb
tens·es; tensed; tens·ing 1 : to make (a muscle) hard and tight [+ obj] ▪ She tensed her shoulders. [no obj] ▪ Her shoulders tensed (up). 2 [no obj] : to become nervous or tense
▪ She tensed as he walked toward her. ▪ He tensed up and missed the putt.
▪ She tensed as he walked toward her. ▪ He tensed up and missed the putt.
— tensed adjective [more tensed; most tensed]
▪ I was feeling tensed. [=tense] — often + up ▪ feeling tensed up
▪ I was feeling tensed. [=tense] — often + up ▪ feeling tensed up
