Crossword answer
TENSE
5 letters · Used for 50 different clues · 183 appearances · Last seen USA Today, August 23, 2026
Letter pattern
TENSE
Clues that lead to TENSE
Most recent firstClueLettersPuzzleLast seen
On edge5USA TodayAug 23, 2026
High-strung5USA TodayAug 18, 2026
Taut5Evening StandardAug 14, 2026
What adding "-ed" might change5USA TodayAug 7, 2026
Tight5Evening StandardAug 6, 2026
Keyed up5Thomas JosephJul 14, 2026
Past or present5New York TimesJul 10, 2026
Anxious5USA TodayJul 6, 2026
Past, imperfect or continuous (5)5The GuardianJul 6, 2026
Past, present, or future, in grammar5Daily ThemedJun 28, 2026
Possibly past getting excited5Evening StandardJun 11, 2026
Stretched tight (5)5The GuardianJun 8, 2026
Past, present, or future5Daily ThemedJun 7, 2026
Needing kneading, perhaps5New York TimesJun 7, 2026
Feeling all wound up5NYT MiniMay 25, 2026
Strained5Daily ExpressMay 23, 2026
Maybe past getting jittery5Evening StandardMay 20, 2026
Figures England's capital is exciting!5Evening StandardApr 20, 2026
Very nervous5NewsdayApr 13, 2026
Nervous5New York TimesApr 1, 2026
Stressed, nervy5Puzzle PageMar 17, 2026
Antsy5NewsdayFeb 8, 2026
Jittery5NewsdayDec 28, 2025
Nervy5Evening StandardDec 18, 2025
Feeling anxious5NewsdayDec 3, 2025
Feeling nervous5NewsdayNov 5, 2025
It follows "past," "present," or "future," in grammar5Daily ThemedOct 27, 2025
Worried about the future?5Evening StandardOct 22, 2025
Verb form5NewsdayOct 19, 2025
Nerve-racking5New York TimesSep 10, 2025
East Ender seen to crack under strain5Evening StandardSep 6, 2025
Under a strain at present?5Evening StandardJul 24, 2025
Stand outside quarters in a state of the jitters5Evening StandardJul 11, 2025
Strained at present?5Evening StandardDec 10, 2024
Taut or rigid5Evening StandardSep 5, 2024
Figures to finish the race in a state of excitement5Evening StandardJun 11, 2024
Exciting number of points5Evening StandardMay 2, 2024
Taut, rigid5Evening StandardApr 30, 2024
Figures the Egyptian leader is under a strain5Evening StandardApr 24, 2024
Worried it may be imperfect5Evening StandardMar 22, 2024
Word with "past," "present," or "future," in grammar5Daily ThemedMar 5, 2024
Exciting present?5Evening StandardSep 5, 2023
Very nervous or ill at ease5Daily ThemedJul 13, 2023
It may be past, present, or future, in grammar5Daily ThemedJun 7, 2023
Present perfect or future perfect, e.g.5Daily ThemedFeb 6, 2023
Drawn in a number of ways5Evening StandardNov 29, 2022
Nervous, stand holding the poles5Evening StandardApr 15, 2022
In need of relaxing5Daily ThemedMar 2, 2022
Figures a close finish to be exciting5Evening StandardAug 26, 2021
Figure a way to be dramatic5Evening StandardAug 1, 2019
About TENSE in crosswords
TENSE is a 5-letter answer that has appeared 183 times in our database across 50 different clues. It was most recently the answer to “On edge” in the USA Today crossword on August 23, 2026.
Other 5-letter answers
LEMURMadagascan arboreal primate (5)
AHEADBridge Out ___ (sign)
TEACHInstruct
IGLOOSnow place; like, home (5)
CURRYSpicy dish
MAIZECrop cloth covering snooker table, with money to replace balls, at first
KABULAsian capital
BEARDWhiskers
STAYSCorsets
NERDSObsessive hobbyists
RABBITorah scholar
FREESAllows to go cold, pronouncedly!
SITESWeb locations
BUFFY"___ the Vampire Slayer," horror TV series where Sarah Michelle Gellar plays the iconic lead character who gives the show its name
Every appearance of TENSE (183)
Click to expand · newest first
Aug 23, 2026
On edge · USA Today · 51 Down
Aug 18, 2026
High-strung · USA Today · 24 Down
Aug 14, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 36 Across
Aug 12, 2026
On edge · NYT Midi · 15 Down
Aug 9, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 28 Down
Aug 7, 2026
What adding "-ed" might change · USA Today · 51 Down
Aug 6, 2026
Tight · Evening Standard · 6 Down
Jul 24, 2026
High-strung · Thomas Joseph · 43 Across
Jul 14, 2026
Keyed up · Thomas Joseph · 23 Across
Jul 10, 2026
Past or present · New York Times · 1 Down
Jul 6, 2026
Past, imperfect or continuous (5) · The Guardian · 2 Down
Jul 6, 2026
Anxious · USA Today · 27 Down
Jul 4, 2026
Taut · Daily Express · 14 Across
Jul 4, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 32 Down
Jun 28, 2026
Past, present, or future, in grammar · Daily Themed · 33 Down
Jun 22, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 14 Down
Jun 21, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 13 Down
Jun 20, 2026
Keyed up · Thomas Joseph · 14 Across
Jun 11, 2026
Possibly past getting excited · Evening Standard · 27 Down
Jun 8, 2026
Stretched tight (5) · The Guardian · 5 Down
Jun 7, 2026
Past, present, or future · Daily Themed · 34 Down
Jun 7, 2026
Needing kneading, perhaps · New York Times · 109 Down
May 25, 2026
Feeling all wound up · NYT Mini · 3 Down
May 23, 2026
Strained · Daily Express · 21 Across
May 20, 2026
Maybe past getting jittery · Evening Standard · 31 Down
May 19, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 24 Across
May 1, 2026
Taut · Daily Express · 22 Across
Apr 28, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 5 Down
Apr 20, 2026
Figures England's capital is exciting! · Evening Standard · 12 Across
Apr 13, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 32 Down
Apr 13, 2026
Very nervous · Newsday · Down
Apr 3, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 29 Down
Apr 1, 2026
Nervous · New York Times · 50 Down
Mar 17, 2026
Stressed, nervy · Puzzle Page · 19 Across
Feb 13, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Feb 8, 2026
Antsy · Newsday · Across
Feb 5, 2026
Taut · Evening Standard · 13 Down
Jan 18, 2026
On edge · Newsday · Across
Jan 5, 2026
Taut · The Independent · 9 Across
Dec 28, 2025
Jittery · Newsday · Down
Dec 18, 2025
Nervy · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Dec 13, 2025
Nervy · Evening Standard · 33 Across
Dec 3, 2025
Feeling anxious · Newsday · Down
Nov 29, 2025
Taut · Evening Standard · 40 Across
Nov 15, 2025
Taut · Evening Standard · 26 Across
Nov 5, 2025
Feeling nervous · Newsday · Across
Oct 27, 2025
It follows "past," "present," or "future," in grammar · Daily Themed · 7 Down
Oct 26, 2025
Taut · Evening Standard · 26 Across
Oct 22, 2025
Worried about the future? · Evening Standard · 34 Across
Oct 19, 2025
Verb form · Newsday · Across
Oct 10, 2025
Taut · Evening Standard · 14 Down
Sep 23, 2025
Taut · Evening Standard · 9 Across
Sep 10, 2025
Nerve-racking · New York Times · 63 Across
Sep 6, 2025
East Ender seen to crack under strain · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Aug 30, 2025
Taut · Evening Standard · 41 Across
Aug 17, 2025
Nervy · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Jul 24, 2025
Under a strain at present? · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Jul 11, 2025
Stand outside quarters in a state of the jitters · Evening Standard · 42 Across
Jun 21, 2025
Nervy · Evening Standard · 12 Down
May 25, 2025
Verb form · Newsday · Down
May 14, 2025
Nervy · Evening Standard · 6 Across
Feb 20, 2025
Taut · Evening Standard · 19 Down
Feb 12, 2025
Taut · Evening Standard · 26 Down
Jan 28, 2025
Feeling anxious · Newsday · Down
Jan 1, 2025
Past, present or future · New York Times · 13 Down
Dec 12, 2024
Taut · The Independent · 23 Across
Dec 10, 2024
Strained at present? · Evening Standard · 31 Down
Oct 25, 2024
Taut · Evening Standard · 29 Down
Sep 27, 2024
Taut · Evening Standard · 38 Across
Sep 5, 2024
Taut or rigid · Evening Standard · 7 Down
Jun 12, 2024
Taut · Evening Standard · 29 Down
Jun 11, 2024
Figures to finish the race in a state of excitement · Evening Standard · 6 Down
May 20, 2024
Taut · Evening Standard · 2 Down
May 2, 2024
Exciting number of points · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Apr 30, 2024
Taut, rigid · Evening Standard · 10 Across
Apr 24, 2024
Figures the Egyptian leader is under a strain · Evening Standard · 7 Down
Mar 26, 2024
Taut or rigid · Evening Standard · 10 Across
Mar 22, 2024
Worried it may be imperfect · Evening Standard · 42 Across
Mar 19, 2024
Taut · Evening Standard · 6 Down
Mar 5, 2024
Word with "past," "present," or "future," in grammar · Daily Themed · 4 Down
Feb 8, 2024
Taut · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Jan 25, 2024
Taut · Evening Standard · 11 Down
Nov 1, 2023
Taut · Evening Standard · 39 Across
Nov 1, 2023
Past, present, or future, in grammar · Daily Themed · 45 Down
Sep 5, 2023
Exciting present? · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Aug 23, 2023
Taut · Evening Standard · 15 Across
Aug 15, 2023
Nervy · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Jul 27, 2023
Taut · Evening Standard · 41 Across
Jul 20, 2023
Taut · Evening Standard · 9 Across
Jul 13, 2023
Very nervous or ill at ease · Daily Themed · 44 Down
Jun 29, 2023
Taut · Evening Standard · 19 Down
Jun 13, 2023
Possibly past getting excited · Evening Standard · 13 Down
Jun 7, 2023
It may be past, present, or future, in grammar · Daily Themed · 37 Down
May 9, 2023
Taut · Evening Standard · 13 Down
Mar 10, 2023
Nervous · Evening Standard · 42 Across
Mar 9, 2023
Taut or rigid · Evening Standard · 33 Across
Feb 14, 2023
Taut · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Feb 6, 2023
Present perfect or future perfect, e.g. · Daily Themed · 25 Across
Jan 11, 2023
Taut · Evening Standard · 13 Down
Dec 18, 2022
Very nervous · Daily Themed · 4 Down
Dec 14, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 33 Down
Nov 29, 2022
Drawn in a number of ways · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Nov 11, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Nov 3, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 29 Down
Sep 27, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 24 Across
Sep 14, 2022
Under a strain at present · Evening Standard · 25 Down
Jul 7, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 38 Across
Jun 24, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 13 Down
May 27, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 12 Across
May 10, 2022
Nervy · Evening Standard · 30 Across
Apr 25, 2022
Strained at present? · Evening Standard · 36 Across
Apr 15, 2022
Nervous, stand holding the poles · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Mar 24, 2022
Strained at present? · Evening Standard · 31 Down
Mar 18, 2022
Anxious · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Mar 10, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 14 Down
Mar 2, 2022
In need of relaxing · Daily Themed · 34 Across
Jan 17, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 9 Across
Jan 12, 2022
Taut · Evening Standard · 14 Down
Dec 31, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 12 Across
Dec 13, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 33 Down
Dec 8, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 13 Down
Oct 29, 2021
Nervous · Evening Standard · 17 Across
Oct 26, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Aug 29, 2021
Past, present, or future · Daily Themed · 44 Down
Aug 26, 2021
Figures a close finish to be exciting · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Aug 24, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 6 Down
Jul 7, 2021
Tight · Evening Standard · 6 Down
Jun 29, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 38 Across
Apr 28, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 13 Down
Apr 16, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 36 Across
Apr 14, 2021
Possibly past getting excited · Evening Standard · 27 Down
Apr 12, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 28 Down
Mar 11, 2021
Maybe past getting jittery · Evening Standard · 31 Down
Feb 19, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 32 Down
Feb 8, 2021
On edge · Eugene Sheffer · 4 Across
Feb 3, 2021
Taut · Evening Standard · 14 Down
Jan 26, 2021
Figures England's capital is exciting! · Evening Standard · 12 Across
Dec 17, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 24 Across
Nov 18, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 5 Down
Oct 28, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 32 Down
Oct 14, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 29 Down
Oct 7, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 13 Down
Sep 22, 2020
Nervy · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Aug 6, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Jul 10, 2020
Stand outside quarters in a state of the jitters · Evening Standard · 42 Across
Jul 10, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 40 Across
Jul 7, 2020
Nervy · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Jul 2, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 14 Down
Jun 25, 2020
Nervy · Evening Standard · 33 Across
May 13, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 40 Across
May 6, 2020
On edge · Eugene Sheffer · 34 Across
May 4, 2020
On edge · Eugene Sheffer · 7 Down
Apr 30, 2020
Nervy · Evening Standard · 31 Down
Apr 27, 2020
Worried about the future? · Evening Standard · 34 Across
Apr 23, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 26 Across
Apr 8, 2020
Strained at present? · Evening Standard · 13 Down
Mar 26, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 26 Across
Mar 4, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 14 Down
Feb 10, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 9 Across
Feb 4, 2020
East Ender seen to crack under strain · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Jan 7, 2020
Taut · Evening Standard · 41 Across
Dec 17, 2019
Nervy · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Dec 5, 2019
Taut · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Oct 22, 2019
Taut · Evening Standard · 26 Across
Oct 9, 2019
Taut · Evening Standard · 28 Across
Oct 8, 2019
Nervy · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Aug 1, 2019
Figure a way to be dramatic · Evening Standard · 20 Down
May 21, 2019
Under a strain at present? · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Apr 19, 2019
Worried it may be imperfect · Evening Standard · 42 Across
Mar 7, 2019
Nervy · Evening Standard · 12 Down
Dec 18, 2018
Taut · Evening Standard · 19 Down
Dec 10, 2018
Taut · Evening Standard · 26 Down
Sep 13, 2018
Strained at present? · Evening Standard · 31 Down
Sep 3, 2018
Taut · Evening Standard · 29 Down
Aug 6, 2018
Taut · Evening Standard · 38 Across
Jun 4, 2018
Taut or rigid · Evening Standard · 7 Down
Mar 26, 2018
Figures to finish the race in a state of excitement · Evening Standard · 6 Down
Feb 27, 2018
Exciting number of points · Evening Standard · 31 Across
Feb 20, 2018
Taut · Evening Standard · 6 Down
Feb 19, 2018
Figures the Egyptian leader is under a strain · Evening Standard · 7 Down
Feb 15, 2018
Taut, rigid · Evening Standard · 10 Across
Jan 11, 2018
Taut · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Jan 11, 2018
Taut or rigid · Evening Standard · 10 Across