high-pres·sure
ˈhī-ˈpre-shər 
1
a
: having or involving a high or comparatively high pressure especially greatly exceeding that of the atmosphere
b
: having a high barometric pressure
2
a
: using or involving aggressive and insistent sales techniques
b
: imposing or involving severe strain or tension
high-pressure occupations
high-pressured; high-pressuring; high-pressures
: to sell or influence by high-pressure tactics
Synonyms
Examples of high-pressure in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Feng, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Kelly's legal background equips her with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by attorneys in high-pressure environments.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
The start of Saturday’s appearance, meanwhile, showed the mental fortitude and high-pressure composure that Yamamoto, crucially, possesses as well.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
To protect yourself, exercise caution when faced with unsolicited requests for personal information, particularly those employing high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
Specifically, the issue was with powdered metal high-pressure turbine and compressor discs.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2024
After Wednesday, a high-pressure system will bring drier weather and warmer temperatures.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
However, finding balance can be challenging, particularly in industries known for their demanding schedules and high-pressure environments.
—Jennifer Acree, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Adriana Cuba is especially strong as Ada, the slick, insincere and high-pressure missionary leader whose only interest is making her numbers for the year.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2024
Diego Lasarte, Quartz, 21 Mar. 2023
After losing to Washington State in the Pac-12 title game, Close realized the importance of emphasizing fun during the most high-pressure games of the season.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2023
The Bulldogs used a high-pressure defense that covers three-quarters of the court to push their lead to 10-2 after forcing four GCU turnovers.
—Emily Horos, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2023
McGraw appeared in 22 games last season, starting half of them, but the Tuiloma trade thrust him into a high-pressure spot.
—oregonlive, 16 Mar. 2023
At the time, Cherington was working at a high-pressure job as an exercise physiology-and-physical-therapy assistant in the intensive care unit at a Boston hospital.
—Emilia Benton, SELF, 15 Mar. 2023
Unlike existing portable desalination systems based on reverse osmosis, the MIT team’s prototype does not need any high-pressure pumping or maintenance by technicians.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Mar. 2023
As part of this research, Dituri is investigating the effects of living in a high-pressure environment for an extended period.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2023
In addition, a large high-pressure system that grew in winters past, keeping the region dry, didn’t materialize this year, leaving the door open for passing storms.
—Brian K Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Mar. 2023
Adjective
On multiple occasions, Chinese coast guard ships shot high-pressure jets of water at Philippine resupply boats, and last December and early March, boats from both countries have collided near the shoal.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Kelly's legal background equips her with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by attorneys in high-pressure environments.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
The start of Saturday’s appearance, meanwhile, showed the mental fortitude and high-pressure composure that Yamamoto, crucially, possesses as well.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
To protect yourself, exercise caution when faced with unsolicited requests for personal information, particularly those employing high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
Specifically, the issue was with powdered metal high-pressure turbine and compressor discs.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2024
After Wednesday, a high-pressure system will bring drier weather and warmer temperatures.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
However, finding balance can be challenging, particularly in industries known for their demanding schedules and high-pressure environments.
—Jennifer Acree, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Adriana Cuba is especially strong as Ada, the slick, insincere and high-pressure missionary leader whose only interest is making her numbers for the year.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
Chinese companies have developed a technique called high-pressure acid leaching that makes low-quality nickel usable in lithium-ion batteries.
—Diego Lasarte, Quartz, 21 Mar. 2023
After losing to Washington State in the Pac-12 title game, Close realized the importance of emphasizing fun during the most high-pressure games of the season.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2023
The Bulldogs used a high-pressure defense that covers three-quarters of the court to push their lead to 10-2 after forcing four GCU turnovers.
—Emily Horos, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2023
McGraw appeared in 22 games last season, starting half of them, but the Tuiloma trade thrust him into a high-pressure spot.
—oregonlive, 16 Mar. 2023
At the time, Cherington was working at a high-pressure job as an exercise physiology-and-physical-therapy assistant in the intensive care unit at a Boston hospital.
—Emilia Benton, SELF, 15 Mar. 2023
Unlike existing portable desalination systems based on reverse osmosis, the MIT team’s prototype does not need any high-pressure pumping or maintenance by technicians.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Mar. 2023
As part of this research, Dituri is investigating the effects of living in a high-pressure environment for an extended period.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2023
In addition, a large high-pressure system that grew in winters past, keeping the region dry, didn’t materialize this year, leaving the door open for passing storms.
—Brian K Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'high-pressure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near high-pressure
Cite this Entry
“High-pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high-pressure. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
high-pressure
1 of 2 adjective1
a
: having or involving a high pressure especially much higher than that of the atmosphere
b
: having a high atmospheric pressure
2
: using or involving very aggressive sales techniques
high-pressure
2 of 2 verb
: to sell or influence by high-pressure methods
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