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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tension
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
When the band sits too high, the shoulder straps bear excess weight, often leading to deep indentations or tension.
—Malana Vantyler
march 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2022
The roof bars tension the whole tent nicely, pulling against the stakes, so there’s no slack in the walls and no sag in the roof.
—Bill Gifford, Outside Online, 26 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for tension
Noun
As tension erupts between Jewish settlers and Palestinian rebels, the British police and Army enforce an indiscriminate crackdown on Arab villagers, confiscating their land, enforcing curfews, limiting travel, and beating and arresting any who resist.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
When the band sits too high, the shoulder straps bear excess weight, often leading to deep indentations or tension.
—Malana Vantyler
march 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
In a lengthy chat with host Stephen Colbert, the director and actress spoke about everything from firing Shia LaBeouf to tension with star Florence Pugh to whether Harry Styles actually spit on Chris Pine.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2022
The roof bars tension the whole tent nicely, pulling against the stakes, so there’s no slack in the walls and no sag in the roof.
—Bill Gifford, Outside Online, 26 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for tension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tension
Noun
-
This designation introduces an additional layer of operational pressure to what is already an unusually strained deployment.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
An early goal by the Galaxy would put all of the pressure on Mount Pleasant, forcing the home club to push for five goals to win.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The uneven ground forces the body to tense with every step.—
Abraham Nudelstejer,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Curtis seemed to tense up amid the smooth onslaught.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The stress for the Heat is proving tangible.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Mar. 2026
-
De-stress on a daily basis to help your mental and emotional battery.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The disruptions are fueling broader concerns about tightening state control.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Treatments like skin-tightening Thermage, which can run $3,000 or more in cities like New York and Los Angeles, cost half as much or less here.—
Jenny Jin,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While staffing levels in Austin have largely held steady, the broader strain on the agency has been evident nationally, with higher-than-normal absenteeism and hundreds of officers leaving since the shutdown began in mid-February.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
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Now feeling emotionally unmoored and with the financial strain of covering tuition hanging over them, the couple eventually decides to go out for a nice, relaxing meal at Blake Junior’s.—
Chase Hutchinson,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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