stress 1 of 2

noun

ˈstres How to pronounce stress (audio)
Definition of stressnext
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

stress

2 of 2

verb

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

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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

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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
Noun
The offer comes amid a period of stress for the global aviation sector, as airlines navigate a jet fuel squeeze caused by the conflict in the Middle East. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 6 July 2026 Throughout his campaign, Platner has spoken at length about his past struggles dealing with post traumatic stress disorder as a result of multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. — Elena Moore, NPR, 6 July 2026
Verb
Patients should still take their prescribed medications, Eisenman stresses. — Carmel Wroth, NPR, 2 July 2026 Loeb stresses that the council, which does not have a budget outside of some reimbursement for travel expenses for members, is not intended to be an echo chamber. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stress
  1. pressure
  2. emphasis
  3. worry
  4. emphasize
  5. highlight
  6. strain
  7. focus
  8. reinforce
Noun
  • Instead of relying solely on conventional reactor vessels and containment structures, the design uses the pressure generated by a mile-long water column surrounding the reactor to support reactor operating pressure while also providing cooling.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026
  • Serve up the comforting flavors of chicken pot pie with less pressure by simply tossing all of the ingredients into your Dutch oven.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • The small, photogenic village of Aurora, which hugs the eastern shoreline of Lake Cayuga, is home to a new spa that draws inspiration from this landscape and places an emphasis on hydrotherapy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • These insights, especially the emphasis on studying liberal arts subjects as tomorrow’s vocational advantage, echo my own reporting for Forbes.
    — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of emphasis
Verb
  • The shadow of the war will loom over the upcoming midterm elections in November – something Republicans have privately been worrying about for months amid growing voter discontent over the war.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • The idea has sparked debate, the sources said, with some officials worried that a pause would set back the department’s efforts to hire more police officers and replenish its dwindling ranks.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • The source emphasized that the Omanis have maintained their commitment to let shipping traffic pass without tolls and noted that the proposal did not contain any mandatory tolls.
    — Abigail Williams, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • The Coast Guard emphasized the high-stakes rescue serves as a powerful reminder of why its crews train constantly and remain ready to respond at any hour of the day or night.
    — Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of emphasize
Verb
  • DyStar said recent operational shifts have led to variations in metrics, particularly for waste intensity, and have highlighted key areas for innovation and improvement.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 July 2026
  • While officials highlighted actions taken by the White House to support the quantum industry, there was no sense of partisan performance, the person said.
    — Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of highlight
Noun
  • Elevated stations bring bowls up to a more natural eating height, which can reduce strain on the neck, joints and back.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • First of all, master distiller Ross Cornelissen decided to use the distillery’s bourbon yeast strain instead of a neutral yeast during fermentation to add more fruit flavors to the whiskey.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 July 2026
Definition of strain
Noun
  • More Freedom 250 controversy Freedom 250 has been the focus of other controversy over funding transparency and religious representations.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • In Appalachia, a regional style of song emerged that transformed the narrative focus of British ballads into shorter lyric folk songs suitable for presentation on commercial recordings.
    — Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of focus
Verb
  • But the additional wording on the MSG sign about confidentiality during and post-event reinforces that there is no livestream, no TV broadcast and likely a social media blackout – until Swift and Kelce deem otherwise.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Goldman Sachs reinforced that view this week, initiating coverage with a buy rating and a $186 price target.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Definition of reinforce

Browse Nearby Words

strenuously
stress
stressed
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Cite this Entry

“Stress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stress. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stress

Nglish: Translation of stress for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stress

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