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tensionar-se

[tẽ.sjo.nar-sə]
verb
to become tense; to tighten
1. to become emotionally or physically tense; to experience tension
She tensioned up when she heard the bad news.
Ela se tensionou quando ouviu a má notícia.
2. to become rigid or strained (of muscles or materials)
His muscles tensioned during the workout.
Seus músculos se tensionaram durante o treino.
3. to become strained or stressed (in relationships or situations)
The situation tensioned between the two countries.
A situação se tensionou entre os dois países.
NYC Slang
get tense; tense up; stress out
Synonyms
enrijecer-secontrair-seesticar-seestremecer-seficar tenso
Antonyms
relaxar-seafrouxar-sedescontrair-sedestensar-se

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
tensionar-se
Common usage in both formal and informal contexts
Portugal
tensionar-se / enrijecer-se
Less frequently used; prefer 'enrijecer-se' or 'ficar tenso'
São Paulo
tensionar-se
Standard usage in urban environments

Related Idioms & Phrases

tensionar-se como uma corda
tensionar-se de nervos
deixar-se tensionar
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