tension

¹ten·sion

noun \ˈten(t)-shən\

Definition of TENSION

1

a : the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness : tautness b : stress 1b

2

a : either of two balancing forces causing or tending to cause extension b : the stress resulting from the elongation of an elastic body

3

a : inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion b : a state of latent hostility or opposition between individuals or groups c : a balance maintained in an artistic work between opposing forces or elements

4

: a device to produce a desired tension (as in a loom)

— ten·sion·al \ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl\ adjective

— ten·sion·less \ˈten(t)-shən-ləs\ adjective

Examples of TENSION

1. You can see she is just filled with tension about her job.
2. The dramatic tension was very satisfying.
3. The author resolves the tension too soon.
4. Political tensions in the region make it unstable.
5. Do you sense the tension between those two?
6. There was a lot of tension at the meeting.
7. The book describes the tension-filled days before the war.
8. He felt a tension between duty and love.
9. There will always be some tension between the desire to reduce risk and the desire to make as much money as possible.

Origin of TENSION

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin tension-, tensio, from tendere

First Known Use: 1533

Related to TENSION

Synonyms: pressure, strain, stress

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

Near Antonyms: comfort, consolation

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Other Psychology Terms

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