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
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Recent Examples of stress
Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
That means stress-testing contingency plans, communicating with stakeholders, checking supply-chain risk and all the other things that should be second nature to any global operator in a crisis.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
When your range of motion is limited, your body compensates to perform movements, which shifts stress onto joints and muscles in areas not designed to absorb it.
—Dana Santas Feb 28, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stress
Noun
Shortstop Corey Seager was out a few days with an illness, catcher Kyle Higashioka was down with some back soreness and roster hopeful Cody Freeman will be sidelined multiple weeks with a lumbar stress reaction.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
That means stress-testing contingency plans, communicating with stakeholders, checking supply-chain risk and all the other things that should be second nature to any global operator in a crisis.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
This does stress plants somewhat so depending on the type of bulb, some may or may not bloom again.
—Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
When your range of motion is limited, your body compensates to perform movements, which shifts stress onto joints and muscles in areas not designed to absorb it.
—Dana Santas Feb 28, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stress
Noun
-
Washington is ramping up pressure on Tehran, amassing aircraft and warships in the Middle East, and sanctioning more than 30 entities that support Iranian oil and weapons sales.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
26 Feb. 2026
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The heroes were Bruce Brown for his relentless ball pressure, Spencer Jones for his pesky physicality and Cam Johnson for his heady defensive impact as much as Jokic for his typical box score theatrics.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Yes, there has been a managerial change and an emphasis on rotation, while these are two young players (both are 21 years old).—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Authors Unite is an international publishing and marketing company with a specific emphasis on creating bestseller campaigns for authors.—
Malana Van Tyler,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition to worry over exposure to toxins in food and drinking water, more than 60% of American adults are also very or somewhat concerned about chemicals that industry uses in children’s toys and baby products, food packaging, and personal care products such as makeup, the Pew survey found.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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With nine Democrats in the field, party leaders worry that two Republican candidates could advance to November’s general election.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Carvalho emphasized that the cuts for the next academic year do not include classroom teachers or an increase in class size.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Most Buddhist sects acknowledge the spiritual significance of relics even if some teachers have tried to shift the focus to Buddha's teachings that emphasize mindfulness and kindness.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After a child completes a screening, the coordinator can create a personalized literacy plan that highlights the areas that need more practice.—
MAKIYA SEMINERA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Ruger Riojas pitched a clean inning in the first, highlighted by a strikeout via elevated fastball.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
During the team’s four-game trip out west — of which Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Suggs (back strain) missed three games — Banchero was tasked at times with the defending the opposing team’s top player.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
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After shoulder surgery in 2023, a full year of rehab in 2024 and a choppy 2025 comeback hampered by ankle tendinitis, a line-drive off his elbow and a lat strain in his back, Woodruff is ready to lead the rotation.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But Cornyn's precarious stature as an incumbent vulnerable in his own party's primary has been the focus of a majority of the massive sums spent by both sides in the run up to March 3.—
THOMAS BEAUMONT,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
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The search for sustained consistency remained a focus for the Lakers on Sunday against a Sacramento Kings team with the NBA’s worst record.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The episode reinforced that digital assets continue to trade more like high-beta risk assets than geopolitical hedges.—
Dan Mangan,Leslie Josephs,Spencer Kimball,CJ Haddad,Justin Papp,Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
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And those negative experiences can reinforce an aversion to water.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stress. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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