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
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
A little tension might have been simmering.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 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
Our readers — including my neighbors, friends and family — deserve clear-eyed coverage about how the tensions, forces and chaos of politics impact their lives.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
A little tension might have been simmering.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 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
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Auburn committed 26 against Texas' full- and half-court pressure with the Longhorns turning them into 40 points.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Polymer packaging requires injection molding, which normally uses high pressure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Keeping in the same position for a long period of time, especially if cramped or uncomfortable, can also lead to muscles tensing up and feeling tight.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
26 Dec. 2025
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Studios in collaboration with Banijay’s DLO Producciones, tracks the rise of the founding leader of Los Miami, a gang which controlled Madrid’s insatiable ‘90s drug business, tensed by sudden explosive violence, and the drug-lord’s multiple near-death experiences.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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But nothing could ease the stress off him more quickly than a running game that invokes fear — any fear, just something that causes a team to actually react to play-action.—
Sam McDowell
January 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
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Keeping Tabs on Car and Insurance-Related Documents Good documentation helps save time and stress during claims or disputes.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Progressive caucus members have also discussed legislation to tighten the reporting requirements for multinational corporations who might shift profits into tax havens offshore.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Georgia cut the lead to 59-52 on a 3-pointer by Kanon Catchings, but the Bulldogs missed their next seven of eight shots as Florida’s defense tightened its grip.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The only Thunder rotation player ruled out for Sunday’s contest against the Heat is Isaiah Hartenstein, who will miss the game because of a right soleus strain.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
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Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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