pressure 1 of 2

noun

ˈpre-shər How to pronounce pressure (audio)
Definition of pressurenext
1
as in stress
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time a business executive who works well under pressure

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in constraint
the use of power to impose one's will on another pressure from their peers can often cause teens to do things that they normally wouldn't consider

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pressure

2 of 2

verb

as in to force
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure his father pressured him to go out for the swim team

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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 pressure
Noun
Garfield stars as Altman amidst the pressure of the AI arms race, with Ike Barinholtz as co-founder Elon Musk. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026 Designed specifically for users who dislike the deep pressure of silicone eartips, the JBL Vibe Flex 2 offers a comfortable, featherweight open-fit design. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
The best way to generate more turnovers is to pressure the quarterback. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026 Gabriel appealed his convictions in 2007, arguing that police had pressured him into making statements and that there hadn’t been enough evidence to support the charges. — Yana Johnson, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pressure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressure
  1. stress
  2. constraint
  3. force
  4. strain
  5. compulsion
  6. coerce
  7. tension
  8. intimidation
Noun
  • On the one hand, oxidative stress acts as a trigger to tell the body to rebuild and develop mitochondria in the cells — improving an athlete’s endurance capacity.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Longevity Eye Cream is formulated with Green Coffee Bean which helps to improve the appearance of puffiness and dark circles while Lingonberry Stem Cells work to fight visible damage from blue light and oxidative stress.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of stress
Noun
  • Cities face tighter power constraints Urban regulations can significantly reduce the number of locations available for large energy projects.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • That agreement remains unimplemented due to what the government has termed budgetary constraints.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of constraint
Verb
  • Bournemouth were profligate, despite scoring through Marcus Tavernier and forcing a Malick Thiaw own goal, with multiple first-half chances wasted.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But the truth of it is that Sharaa forced his hand by seizing swathes of the SDF’s territory in a lightning offensive in January.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of force
Noun
  • Thompson, however, is dealing with a hamstring strain and is the only 49ers player who didn’t practice in Tuesday’s session.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • More than 70% of Americans don't want data centers in their area, according to a recent Gallup poll, citing concerns like noise, environmental impacts and the strain such projects can put on local communities.
    — Kelly O'Grady, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of strain
Noun
  • The comedian has built her career by wringing laughs out of a compulsion to share her own worst thoughts about her body, life, and career through the lens of a glamorous cabaret diva.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The administration is right that trust matters more than compulsion alone.
    — Katrine Wallace, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of compulsion
Verb
  • His brother Tristan was an accessory, the unit said, using physical aggression to coerce the victim.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Starting in January, Cohen began making his claims about being coerced into working with the prosecution in the New York case.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of coerce
Noun
  • In a time of strained Spanish-American relations, Kuss is doing his part in easing diplomatic tensions.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • When Jenn and Emily return, Shannon tries to cut the tension by talking about jarred pizza sauce (the only real laugh-out-loud moment of the episode), but there’s no salvaging this night.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of tension
Noun
  • But Rybakina showed no intimidation, quickly coming through with a decisive break to clinch the victory after Gauff sent her overhead shot out of bounds, much to the shock of those there to root on the American.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Maryland leaders must make clear that brutality and lawless intimidation will not be tolerated.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of intimidation

Phrases Containing pressure

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pressmen
pressure
pressure-cook
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Cite this Entry

“Pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressure. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pressure

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pressure

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