The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word TENSE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
E
N
S
E
More clues leading to the result TENSE
- Charged for contract
- Perfect, perhaps, under pressure
- Stressful past, perhaps
- Causing anxiety decades before EU’s beginning
- Not relaxed giving present perhaps
- Very much on edge – perfect?
- Figure endless rumpy-pumpy will make you rigid
- Rigid structures one might see on 10 down, I’m told
- Stressful future, perhaps
- Supporter holding poles is nervous
Buddy explains!
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TENSE mean?
TENSE noun- (grammar) Any of the forms of a verb which distinguish when an action or state of being occurs or exists.
- (grammar) An inflected form of a verb that indicates tense.
- The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists.
- (grammar) To apply a tense to.
- To make or become tense.
- Showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.
- Pulled taut, without any slack.