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

Scams are common due to the industry's complexity, with some dealers using high-pressure tactics or misrepresenting investments. —Jessica Walrack, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026

The project — a high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic diamond grit facility — will receive a $600 million investment and involves Element Six, a subsidiary of De Beers, according to the Commerce Department. —Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026

Verb

The team also needed to modify the original differential with a custom stainless steel casing and high-pressure grease to handle the torque. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026

However, a ridge of high-pressure will dominate the upper-levels of the atmosphere, bringing warmer-than-average temperatures back into the forecast. —Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 21 Feb. 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