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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Recent Examples of tension
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
Regardless, things don’t look great in Memphis, and the suspension might not ease tensions.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
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
Despite challenges like geopolitical tensions and shifting tariffs, many dealmakers continue to move forward, particularly in small- and mid-cap markets, where regional transactions have been more insulated from disruptions, according to BCG.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
Regardless, things don’t look great in Memphis, and the suspension might not ease tensions.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
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
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For those who do know him, the optics are less about political pressure and more about simple, unadulterated pride.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Mexico enters the 2026 World Cup with the excitement and pressure of co-hosting the tournament, eager to finally break its long-standing barrier of reaching the Round of 16.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While biting, their jaw muscles tensed to squeeze venom into their meal.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
23 Oct. 2025
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My skin felt dirty, and my stomach tensed with fear.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Yet there's been internal stress due to layoffs, return-to-office mandates and controversy surrounding Microsoft's contracts.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
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For gardeners in warmer areas, fall planting avoids the stress of a hot summer without adequate root systems.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His frequent warnings that the city would fall into ruin if Mamdani, 34, were elected mayor may have tightened the race slightly.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, the state AG’s race between Jones and Miyares tightened to an apparent toss-up amid a major controversy.—
Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
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Picking those strains is a bit of a gamble, but one made less risky by the work of more sophisticated labs, like CDC.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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