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.
That promote people who can stay calm under pressure, which often just means people who've learned to ignore the signals everyone else is picking up. Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 So, Ukraine is retaining its industrial potential even under pressure. CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026 His knack for performing under pressure likely stems from his childhood, when his father challenged him and his brothers with tough environments. Olivia Sayer, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026 And with consumers having access to more and more options for their weather information, including independent meteorologists with their own Substack or Patreon sites, the Weather Channel is under pressure to keep its viewership growing. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for under pressure

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Under pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20pressure. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!