Crossword Genius

Strained at present? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tense

This clue is a double definition.

'strained' is the first definition.
('tense' can be similar in meaning to 'strained')

'present?' is the second definition.
(present is a kind of tense)

'at' is the link.

(Other definitions for tense that I've seen before include "Anxious, nervous" , "Taut, strained" , "Could be present" , "Suffering from strain" , "Under emotional strain" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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