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
Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites but indicating it was prepared to step back from escalating tensions in the volatile region.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 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
Tesla stock’s gain also came as part of a broader rally: The S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq each gained nearly 1% as Wall Street shook off fears of escalating geopolitical tensions tied to Iran’s retaliation to U.S. strikes.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites but indicating it was prepared to step back from escalating tensions in the volatile region.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 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
-
Seattle put the pressure on Jan Oblak and his defense, forcing the Slovenian into a few saves while sending more attempts just beyond the frame of goal.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
Its assessments will consider a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures, and financial and international developments.—
Rohit Arora,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Chronic impacts of emotional abuse can include anxiety, depression, insomnia, binge drinking or substance abuse and muscle tension from flinching or tensing up, Patel says.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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Losing one-goal leads had threatened to become a theme against Dallas, but a fast start saw the Stars begin to tense up, instead of the other way ’round.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Finding ways to manage your stress, such as yoga and meditation, may help.32 Some people with high blood pressure may benefit from dietary supplements, like magnesium and omega-3s.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
16 June 2025
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While this term isn’t an official medical diagnosis, dermatologists use it to describe breakouts that sync up with hormonal fluctuations caused by a person’s menstrual cycle, heavy stress (thanks, cortisol), or a chronic health condition.—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
16 June 2025
Verb
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But when the Thunder defense tightened the clamps, Haliburton couldn’t dribble his way out of trouble.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
-
When the competition tightens, when everyone has a shot, and when history isn’t on your side, the margin for error shrinks—and the margin for greatness expands.—
Don Yaeger,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Although the strain has intensified under DeSantis’ deportation push, the underlying issues aren’t new.—
Kara Newhouse,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 June 2025
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Visitors are encouraged to taste their way through different types of new make, exploring different yeast strains and grain varietals used.—
Felipe Schrieberg,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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