high-pressure

1 of 2

adjective

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-pressure

2 of 2

verb

high-pressured; high-pressuring; high-pressures

transitive verb

: to sell or influence by high-pressure tactics

Synonyms of high-pressure

Adjective

• aggressive
• ambitious
• fierce

Examples of high-pressure in a Sentence

Adjective

a high-pressure salesman who wouldn't take "no" for an answer

"for a limited time only" and other standbys of high-pressure advertising

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

His pants were then forcibly removed, and a high-pressure compressor was reportedly used to inject air into his rectum. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025

Carlson keeps up on the latest sports psychology books and talks to golfers, pitchers and high-percentage shooters in basketball who require consistent performance in high-pressure moments. —Dan Robson, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

Verb

There, the liquid helium is converted to gas, compressed into high-pressure tube trailers and driven to New York City. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025

Bedrock and water surrounding the shaft create a natural high-pressure environment similar to the inside of a large conventional reactor. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for high-pressure

• refresher
• acupressure
• overpressure
• flesher
• fresher
• pressure
• thresher

Kids Definition

high-pressure

1 of 2 adjective

1

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