Definitions:

1. become stretched or tense or taut verb
   • the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed
2. become tense, nervous, or uneasy verb
   • I tensed up when I saw my enemies approaching.
3. cause to be uneasy or nervous or anxious verb
   • The corporation got a phone call from their lawyers that tensed them up.
4. increase the tension on verb
   • alternately relax and tense your calf muscle

Synonyms:

• strain
• tense up

NearBy Words:

• tensed
• tensely
• tenseness