Synonyms of stress

stress 1 of 2

noun

ˈstres 

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

• pressure
• strain
• tension
• worry
• anxiety
• load
• concern
• weight
• anger
• irritation
• trouble
• persecution
• uneasiness
• aggravation
• annoyance
• exasperation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• comfort
• consolation

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

• emphasis
• focus
• weight
• accent
• accentuation
• concentration
• attention
• underscoring
• value
• significance
• priority
• consequence
• moment
• consideration
• spotlight
• import
• worth
• precedence
• primacy
• top billing
• regard
• note
• heed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimization
• indifference
• disregard
• de-emphasis
• underemphasis

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• worry
• fear
• fret
• trouble
• sweat
• bother
• stew
• fuss
• sweat blood
• give a hang
• long
• despair
• pine
• agonize
• yearn
• chafe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• take
• endure
• bear
• sustain
• tolerate
• abide
• stomach
• stick out

2

as in to emphasize

to make more apparent

his bad performance only stressed what I'd been saying all along

Synonyms & Similar Words

• emphasize
• reinforce
• enhance
• deepen
• underline
• underscore
• bring out
• accentuate
• strengthen
• maximize
• heighten
• amplify
• supplement
• augment
• italicize
• boost
• magnify
• enlarge
• jazz (up)
• beef (up)
• enliven

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• minimize
• decrease
• tone (down)
• lessen
• diminish
• de-emphasize
• weaken
• understate
• subdue

3

as in to highlight

to indicate the importance of by centering attention on

the doctor stressed the importance of exercise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• emphasize
• highlight
• feature
• accent
• point (up)
• focus
• punctuate
• identify
• accentuate
• bear down on
• press
• illuminate
• play up
• foreground
• promote
• pinpoint
• make much of
• advertise
• spotlight
• boost
• publicize
• plug
• overplay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tone (down)
• play down
• minimize
• understate
• underemphasize
• de-emphasize
• discount
• belittle
• disparage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stress

Noun

Fiction, specifically, has also been said to relieve stress and anxiety. — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

The central bank often supports efforts to stabilize the global financial system in moments of stress. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

Verb

My doctor is really stressing weight training using heavier weights for me. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Experts stressed engaging in activities that provide purpose and build meaningful connection; volunteering at a food bank or tutoring children was repeatedly recommended. — Taylor Seely, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026