as in pressure
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time
under a lot of tension right now about her decision not to go to college
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 tension
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
May 2024—King Charles Has Other Priorities If the messaging had not been completely clear in February the tension became harder to ignore by May when Harry returned to Britain again to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Julia Musto, Fox News, 2 Jan. 2022
Will tension between hawks and doves be the defining characteristic of Juntos going forward?
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 14 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for tension
Noun
Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes got revenge on Reese's LSU Tigers a year later in the Elite Eight, but the tension hit a whole new level when the players reached the pros for their rookie WNBA seasons.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
May 2024—King Charles Has Other Priorities If the messaging had not been completely clear in February the tension became harder to ignore by May when Harry returned to Britain again to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Verb
The team will separate and individually tension each of the five sunshield layers, stretching them into their final shape.
—Julia Musto, Fox News, 2 Jan. 2022
Will tension between hawks and doves be the defining characteristic of Juntos going forward?
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 14 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for tension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tension
Noun
-
However, if the pressure continues to mount, direct-to-consumer channels offer promising ways to bypass traditional store font issues to make sure all your beauty supply needs continue to be met.—
Kori Hale,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
Add to that the pressures of career, family, caretaking responsibilities, financial stress — and midlife can be a roller coaster of uncertainty and stress.—
Katia Riddle,
NPR,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Progressive relaxation: This relaxation practice involves tensing and relaxing each body part, usually working your way up from your feet to your face.—
Sanja Jelic,
Verywell Health,
6 May 2025
-
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive muscle relaxation involves slowly tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body, one at a time.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The issue is the biggest concern among small business owners, with 52 percent calling it their biggest source of financial stress, and 24 percent citing rising costs as the most pressing risk to their livelihoods, followed by weakening consumer demand (18 percent).—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
12 May 2025
-
Through unplugged rooms, meals, and experiences, this program is designed to enhance your mental clarity, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality.—
Essence,
Essence,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
One set of local institutions that hasn’t had to tighten its belt this year?—
Mark Schneider,
National Review,
12 May 2025
-
Unfortunately, tightening the hinge screws won't be enough to correct this problem.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
The highly common herpes strain, also called varicella-zoster virus (VZV), can cause chickenpox in childhood and later develop into shingles in older or immuno-compromised adults.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
-
Their love was tested when a major project presented unforeseen difficulties, causing stress and strain.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share