What is another word for make tense?
Pronunciation: [mˌe͡ɪk tˈɛns] (IPA) 
The phrase "make tense" refers to the act of causing someone or something to become anxious, stressed, or uneasy. There are many synonyms that can be used in place of "make tense." For example, to "stress out" someone means to cause them to feel anxious or to become overwhelmed. "Agitate" means to disturb or upset someone emotionally. "Unnerve" can be used to describe the feeling of being made tense. Additionally, "fluster," "discomfit," and "disconcert" all refer to the act of making someone feel uncomfortable or uneasy. Whether you are writing a paper or trying to describe your own feelings, there are many alternatives to the phrase "make tense" that can more accurately convey the emotion.
