under pressure
idiom
1
: tightly pressed into a container
The contents of the bottle are under pressure.
2
: in a state of stress or anxiety because of having too much to do
They both work well under pressure.
3
: being made to feel forced to do something (as by arguments, threats, etc.)
The mayor is under pressure to resign.
Examples of under pressure in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His 64 passer rating when under pressure is 13th worst among starters.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Leaning on circumstantial evidence and testimony later determined to be made under pressure by local police, according to the Exoneration Registry, Vedam was sentenced to life in prison but continued to appeal his conviction over the next 40-plus years.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
As Anderson looks to pass forward under pressure from Gusto, Chelsea lay a trap.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Dart is completing just 48% of his throws this season with one score and two picks when under pressure.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for under pressure
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.
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Leaning on circumstantial evidence and testimony later determined to be made under pressure by local police, according to the Exoneration Registry, Vedam was sentenced to life in prison but continued to appeal his conviction over the next 40-plus years.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
As Anderson looks to pass forward under pressure from Gusto, Chelsea lay a trap.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Dart is completing just 48% of his throws this season with one score and two picks when under pressure.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for under pressure
Cite this Entry
“Under pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20pressure. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share