as in pressure
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time
under a lot of tension right now about her decision not to go to college
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of tension
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 3 Apr. 2026
Jeff Sessions was forced out after prolonged tension with the president, and he was followed by acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2022
The roof bars tension the whole tent nicely, pulling against the stakes, so there’s no slack in the walls and no sag in the roof.
—Bill Gifford, Outside Online, 26 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for tension
Noun
Anderson’s work is defined by tensions, said Laura Freeman in The Times.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 3 Apr. 2026
Jeff Sessions was forced out after prolonged tension with the president, and he was followed by acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
In a lengthy chat with host Stephen Colbert, the director and actress spoke about everything from firing Shia LaBeouf to tension with star Florence Pugh to whether Harry Styles actually spit on Chris Pine.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2022
The roof bars tension the whole tent nicely, pulling against the stakes, so there’s no slack in the walls and no sag in the roof.
—Bill Gifford, Outside Online, 26 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for tension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tension
Noun
-
Lago explained in a March 10 meeting that the fee would make required maintenance cheaper and easier for business owners, while letting the city manage sidewalk pressure-cleaning and repairs, landscaping and streetscape upkeep to clean and beautify the city.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Geopolitical shifts compound these pressures.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The uneven ground forces the body to tense with every step.—
Abraham Nudelstejer,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Curtis seemed to tense up amid the smooth onslaught.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Just two weeks ago, Gary Woodland decided ot shared his struggles with post traumatic stress disorder, brought on after a September 2023 surgery, which involved a baseball-sized hole cut from the side of his head, to remove a brain lesion.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
And that might reduce the stress that leads to anger.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
China and Russia grow closer in Arctic efforts The lack of funding comes at a time when the Chinese and Russian Coast Guards are tightening their relationship.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Yet certain types of speech can still trigger criminal charges, and Morocco has seen tightening restrictions on dissent, including against journalists and activists.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Williams, an All-Star in 2025, has missed 27 games this season because of a right hamstring strain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Even as prices rise, demand remains steady and drivers continue to feel the strain.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
