stress

¹stress

noun \ˈstres\

Definition of STRESS

1

: constraining force or influence: as

a : a force exerted when one body or body part presses on, pulls on, pushes against, or tends to compress or twist another body or body part; especially : the intensity of this mutual force commonly expressed in pounds per square inch

b : the deformation caused in a body by such a force

c : a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation

d : a state resulting from a stress; especially : one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium <job-related stress>

e : strain, pressure <the environment is under stress to the point of collapse — Joseph Shoben>

2

: emphasis, weight <lay stress on a point>

3

archaic : intense effort or exertion

4

: intensity of utterance given to a speech sound, syllable, or word producing relative loudness

5

a : relative force or prominence of sound in verse

b : a syllable having relative force or prominence

6

: accent 6a

Examples of STRESS

1. She uses meditation as a way of reducing stress.
2. Hormones are released into the body in response to emotional stress.
3. She is dealing with the stresses of working full-time and going to school.
4. He talked about the stresses and strains of owning a business.
5. Carrying a heavy backpack around all day puts a lot of stress on your shoulders and back.
6. To reduce the amount of stress on your back, bend your knees when you lift something heavy.
7. The ship's mast snapped under the stress of high winds.
8. measuring the effects of stresses on the material

Origin of STRESS

Middle English stresse stress, distress, short for destresse — more at distress

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to STRESS

Synonyms

pressure, strain, tension

Antonyms

de-emphasis

Related Words

load, weight; anxiety, concern, uneasiness, worry; aggravation, anger, annoyance, exasperation, irritation, persecution, trouble

Near Antonyms

comfort, consolation

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Rhymes with STRESS

bless, cess, chess, cress, dress, ess, fess, guess, jess, less, loess, mess, ness, press, s, tress, yes

²stress

verb

Definition of STRESS

transitive verb

1

: to subject to physical or psychological stress <stressing the equipment> <this traffic is stressing me out>

2

: to subject to phonetic stress : accent

3

: to lay stress on : emphasize <stressed the importance of teamwork>

intransitive verb

: to feel stress <stressing about the big exam> —often used with out

Examples of STRESS

1. The union stressed the need for stricter safety standards.
2. The risks involved in the procedure should be stressed.
3. Some people stress the second syllable of “harassment,” while others stress the first.
4. When she said, “We need lots of money,” she stressed the word “lots.”
5. It's not an important decision and it isn't worth stressing over.

First Known Use of STRESS

1545

Related to STRESS

Synonyms

bother, fear, fret, fuss, stew, worry, sweat, trouble

Antonyms

de-emphasize

Related Words

agonize; long, pine, yearn; chafe; despair

Near Antonyms

accept; abide, bear, endure, stick out, stomach, sustain, take, tolerate