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

But that could soon change as a high-pressure system moves into the region, bringing the potential for much warmer temperatures and possibly even record-breaking highs. —Conor McGill, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026

That blast of heat will come to Northern California from a high-pressure ridge that has been building over the ocean but that Kennedy said soon will move closer to land over the weekend. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2026

Verb

Moving westward and further upstream again, on the other side of the high-pressure system is another low-pressure area. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2026

Models show a high-pressure ridge descending over the West, bringing high heat and low precipitation across the region, meteorologist Jacob Spender told The Sacramento Bee. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026

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