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
Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The tension is at the heart of the row between Afreximbank and Fitch, which this week saw the continent’s trade bank end its relationship with the ratings agency.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 30 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 list features neo-noir, studies on female friendship and works that speak to our current moment confronting race and border tension, along with a few narratives that weave in hope.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The tension is at the heart of the row between Afreximbank and Fitch, which this week saw the continent’s trade bank end its relationship with the ratings agency.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 30 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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With similar pressures and temperatures to those found at Earth’s surface, Venus, up above its cloud-tops, might already be home to simple but hardy microbial life forms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
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Beijing is well known for turning to a playbook of economic countermeasures to exert pressure.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Breezily elegant in execution and at times even Hitchcockian, The Girlfriend is a delicious thriller that tenses up with each new scene and revelation.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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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
Noun
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Schroeder and Pepper note that while girls are often socialized to name feelings, seek help, and build collaborative relationships, boys receive far fewer tools for navigating stress, conflict, and uncertainty.—
Dr. Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Antidepressants are also used to treat a wide variety of other conditions, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Denmark will also tighten controls on foreigners without legal residence, introduce a new anklet monitor for criminal foreigners, reopen an embassy in Syria and strengthen cooperation with authorities in Afghanistan.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
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The holy grail skin care find is formulated to firm and tighten your skin, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Lakers like that Kennard’s shooting can create space on the court for Luka Doncic, James and Reaves, who returned to play Tuesday night at Brooklyn after missing 19 games because of a left calf strain.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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But Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined with a right calf strain — his second of the season — and is not expected to return for at least a few more weeks.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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