Crossword Genius

Under a strain at present (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tense

This clue is a double definition.

'under a strain' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)

'present?' is the second definition.
(present tense)

'at' is the link.

(Other definitions for tense that I've seen before include "imperfect, perhaps?" , "Anxious, high-strung" , "Nervous or tight" , "Taut - timely verbal indication" , "In a nervous state" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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