1
as in pressure
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time
with a full-time job and her college courses, the young woman is under a lot of stress right now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emphasis
a special notice or importance given to something
the company's orientation program places considerable stress on workplace safety
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety
the restaurant manager has a tendency to stress about every little thing that goes wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to emphasize
to make more apparent
his bad performance only stressed what I'd been saying all along
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to highlight
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
the doctor stressed the importance of exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 stress
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
22 June 2026
The researchers found that surviving fibroblasts developed significantly larger nuclei after depletion—a possible sign of cellular stress—and that the fibroblast network covering the dermal space shrank by only about 10%.
—
Peter Jurich,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2026
James Ward,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Shin stresses that parents should work to build kids’ water skills and confidence—without relying on a device.
—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stress
Noun
And increasingly, these will come from rockets, putting the most stress on roads and requiring the most commodities for launch.
—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
22 June 2026
The researchers found that surviving fibroblasts developed significantly larger nuclei after depletion—a possible sign of cellular stress—and that the fibroblast network covering the dermal space shrank by only about 10%.
—
Peter Jurich,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2026
Verb
Shelters open as precaution; officials stress safety Although there are no evacuation orders, officials have opened temporary shelters for residents seeking relief from smoke or uncomfortable conditions, according to a statement by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis.
—
James Ward,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Shin stresses that parents should work to build kids’ water skills and confidence—without relying on a device.
—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stress
Noun
-
For example, a robot needs to comprehend the different levels of pressure that are required while holding an egg versus holding a bottle of water.
-
South Africa is piling on the pressure, but Kim Seung-gyu is keeping his goal clean.
Noun
-
The Kansas City Democrat has placed an emphasis on the district in Congress, and helped funnel federal money for revitalization projects.
-
That debate has sharpened after the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Sirius Solutions, which rejected the IRS’s emphasis on a taxpayer’s active participation and instead focused on the statute and the legal characteristics of limited partner status, including liability protection.
Verb
-
But prosecutors said their further investigation raised significant doubts about those conclusions, worrying them that a jury would not find Hobby guilty of an arson charge.
-
Some academic leaders worry that the report might drive students away from programs that encompass the core of human knowledge.
Verb
-
Suarez also acknowledged both teams' slow starts, emphasizing the Red Sox's need to contend.
-
As Hinkley’s family and fiancée mourn the loss of a young man who still had his entire future ahead of him, prosecutors emphasized the scrutiny applied when criminal allegations involve an on-duty law enforcement officer.
Verb
-
Interior designers highlight common mistakes that can make a living room appear less appealing.
-
Additionally, Schwalbe must navigate voter stereotypes about scientists, highlighting the systemic barriers preventing experts from entering politics despite their valuable skills.
Noun
-
With the country cash-strapped, the Arab Spring of 2011 set off a wave of mass migration into Europe, which coincided with the widespread perception that the extra numbers were placing further strains on already creaking resources of jobs, housing and healthcare.
-
High heat can lead to physical strain, confusion, and poor sleep, factors that all weigh down on productivity.
Noun
-
One of Anthropic’s great strengths compared to its archrival OpenAI is its maniacal focus.
-
That same focus on controllables, turning the page on from failure, has helped spur Pages’ consistency.
Verb
-
Ukraine’s most important innovation may be its ability to integrate tactical drones, operational strike systems, strategic drone campaigns, artillery, aircraft and conventional ground forces into a mutually reinforcing system.
-
For Edwards, the reaction reinforced why authentic storytelling matters more than ever, especially in her field of work.
Cite this Entry
“Stress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stress. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
