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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
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.
If Bo Nix protects the ball and the offensive line holds up under pressure, Denver should be able to control tempo and pressure the Commanders’ shaky defense. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025 In January, Siddiq resigned as a government minister in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Keir Starmer under pressure because of her ties to her aunt. CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025 Researchers expect states will be under pressure to reduce or eliminate programs like these to make up for nearly $900 billion in coming Medicaid reductions, since the federal government does not require states to cover respiratory care for people on ventilators or nursing home alternatives. Jordan Rau, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025 To some degree, Takaichi’s comments were merely a manifestation of that, and show that Japan’s pacifism is under pressure like never before. Kerry Brown, Time, 28 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for under pressure

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Cite this Entry

“Under pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20pressure. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

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