Emotionally strained (5) Crossword Clue
Answer: TENSE (5 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Emotionally strained" with 5 letters is "TENSE".Tense refers to a state of being emotionally strained or under pressure, where a person may feel nervous, anxious, or on edge. It describes a situation where there is tension, often due to stress, uncertainty, or conflict, leading to a feeling of discomfort or heightened alertness.
Why “Tense” Fits
The clue asks for an adjective (5) meaning “emotionally strained.” The answer, TENSE, fits exactly: “tense” describes a person or situation that is nervous, anxious, or under emotional strain, so it directly matches “emotionally strained.”
In everyday use, saying “she felt tense” or “the atmosphere was tense” means feelings are tight, stressed, and far from relaxed.
A Bit of Background
“Tense” is commonly used for both people and situations tense muscles, a tense meeting, a tense silence all pointing to heightened emotional pressure.
Because it is the standard, concise adjective for this state, it maps cleanly from the definition “emotionally strained.”
Crossword Solving Insight
In quick crosswords, clues like “Emotionally strained (5)” are designed to lead straight to high‑frequency emotional adjectives.
TENSE has five letters, matches the (5) enumeration, and is the natural everyday synonym for “emotionally strained,” making it the intended solution.




