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tension 1 of 2

noun

ˈten(t)-shən How to pronounce tension (audio)
Definition of tensionnext
as in pressure
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time under a lot of tension right now about her decision not to go to college

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tension

2 of 2

verb

as in to tense

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tension
Noun
But tensions quickly escalate and their grip on the situation begins to slip. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 What better way to evoke that tension than through a black-and-white color palette and two contrasting looks on the same night? — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
In terms of speech, this means the neurons needed to convert the desire to say a word into the muscle activity needed to control the mouth and tongue, expel sufficient breath, and tension the vocal cords. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, 20 May 2024 In a lengthy chat with host Stephen Colbert, the director and actress spoke about everything from firing Shia LaBeouf to tension with star Florence Pugh to whether Harry Styles actually spit on Chris Pine. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for tension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tension
  1. pressure
  2. tense
  3. stress
  4. tighten
  5. strain
Noun
  • China is set to release its latest official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index as investors assess the outlook for factory activity, domestic demand and exports amid persistent pressure on the world’s second-largest economy.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • But Young, under monstrous pressure all day, threw the ball well short of the sticks on one fourth-and-long and then got picked off when his arm got hit on Carolina’s final effort.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of pressure
Verb
  • Even an Impractical Joker, after hundreds of public challenges and punishments designed to push the limits of embarrassment, could still tense up when a cellphone camera caught him experimenting with a new bit.
    — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The women tensed when the deputy warden of the Rostov jail, a curt, imperious man with a heavy-footed gait, walked in.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of tense
Noun
  • By shifting more functionality into the target, FLARE is designed to enable a simpler, more robust driver, reducing component stress, maintenance and downtime.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Hair loss in women can be caused by many things, including your genetics, illnesses, nutritional deficiencies, physiological stress and shifts in hormones.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of stress
Verb
  • An international mission in March documented escalating police violence, smear campaigns fueled by public officials, persistent impunity, legal and digital threats and the ruling party's efforts to tighten its grip over the media, CPJ said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • For medi-spa devotees, dermal fillers and skin-tightening treatments are available, too.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of tighten
Noun
  • Alo is also entering a market long dominated by Lululemon—and even the incumbent is showing signs of strain.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Or instead of cutting taxes, the additional revenue can be used to increase community amenities and services that improve quality of life that outweigh the noise and grid strain.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of strain

Browse Nearby Words

tensing
tension
tensioned
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Cite this Entry

“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tension

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tension

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