Match ending in tense tie (5)
I believe the answer is:
twine
'match ending in tense tie' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'match ending in tense' is the wordplay.
'match' becomes 'twin' (synonyms).
'ending in' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'tense' is 'e'.
'twin'+'e'='TWINE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for twine that I've seen before include "Garden string" , "Twisted cord" , "twist" , "Stout string" , "Interweave" .)