" tenses (up) "

1: to draw tight;

  * e.g., " ... he tensed his muscles and attempted to lift the heavy appliance onto the truck "

•  Synonyms : 

•  strain,

•  stretch,

•  tauten,

•  tighten

•  Antonyms : 

•  loosen,

•  slack,

•  slacken

1: to draw tight;

  * e.g., " ... he tensed his muscles and attempted to lift the heavy appliance onto the truck "

•  Synonyms : 

•  strains,

•  stretches,

•  tautens,

•  tightens

•  Antonyms : 

•  loosens,

•  slackens,

•  slacks