tenseness

/ˈtɛnsnəs/
noun
  1. The state of being stretched tight; stiffness or tautness.
    • The tenseness of the rope made it difficult to tie a knot.
    • Engineers measured the tenseness of the bridge cables to ensure safety.
    • The tenseness of the drum skin gave it a sharp, clear sound.
  2. Mental or emotional strain; anxiety or nervousness.
    • There was a noticeable tenseness in the room before the exam results were announced.
    • Her tenseness faded after she took a few deep breaths.
    • The tenseness between the two coworkers made the meeting uncomfortable.
What does "tenseness" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean