The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - tension n.

1) stress, tightness, tautness, strain, pull, traction, pressure, tenseness, force: Can this cable withstand so much tension? 2 nervousness, anxiety, anxiousness, strain, edginess, apprehension, suspense, tautness, distress, upset, worry, jumpiness, fidgetiness, Colloq jitteriness, (a case of) the jitters: I could feel the tension building among the audience.