be tense

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yet beneath these positive election results, the mood can be tense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Jarvis said rescues could be tense but the outcome was worth it.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Discussions could be tense and often lasted for weeks.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2025

Ford Morthel is scheduled to testify along with the chancellor of the New York City schools and the president of the school board in Montgomery County, Md. The atmosphere is likely to be tense.

From New York Times • May 8, 2024

I’ll go ahead and tell you that things will probably be tense for a little while, but I do think we’ll eventually get back to seminormal functioning.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone