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tense up



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.

Curtis seemed to tense up amid the smooth onslaught.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

"I get this feeling of sudden panic, my whole body will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these noises."

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2025

Jessi Gold, a psychiatrist based in Tennessee, is trying to use social media mindfully, mostly by actively noticing when she’s starting to tense up or grind her teeth.

From Slate • Jan. 4, 2024

"We ignore them during the day, but our souls tense up when they ring at night," said resident Daniela Tanase.

From Reuters • Sep. 5, 2023

I can see Mami tense up, watching Lorena from the corner of her eye.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez




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