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 invincible Bundesliga-winning Bayer Leverkusen side were a highly adaptable, high-pressure unit who used the ball well. —The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Firefighters later used high-pressure fans to ventilate the home and remove any smoke or fumes. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026

Verb

Historically, these events are followed by high-pressure blocking near the Arctic, keeping cold air locked into the central and eastern United States. —Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026

Working at Saturday Night Live is not for the weak, and even the most iconic comedians who worked on the show struggled with the high-pressure job. —Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 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