as in pressures
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 tensions
Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 4 June 2026
But as Beijing ramps up military pressure around Taiwan and Japan shores up its own southwestern defenses, the route has drawn scrutiny — not least because the vessel has been officially earmarked by Tokyo to assist in emergency evacuations if regional tensions erupt into open conflict.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Geopolitical tensions, overseas conflicts and a rising oil price all contributed to a rise in mortgage rates.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The documentary chronicles the escalating tensions between lifestyle content creators and locals, including the mayor, and a restaurant owner trying to preserve his business.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
Although the march began peacefully, tensions escalated as clashes broke out between protesters and police.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
In District 7, situated at the center of the country’s largest Vietnamese community, incumbent Bien Doan was leading with 48% of the vote in a race marked by sharp personal tensions and a 16-year trend of incumbents failing to secure reelection.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Under such circumstances, few of those in charge want to risk their own political careers through defusing tensions with other countries.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The couple reportedly scaled back earlier White House wedding considerations in favor of a smaller Bahamas celebration amid tensions surrounding the war in Iran.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
Chris Ratcliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images European stocks moved higher early Thursday as tensions escalated between Washington and Tehran, even as a ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday evening.
—Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 4 June 2026
But as Beijing ramps up military pressure around Taiwan and Japan shores up its own southwestern defenses, the route has drawn scrutiny — not least because the vessel has been officially earmarked by Tokyo to assist in emergency evacuations if regional tensions erupt into open conflict.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Geopolitical tensions, overseas conflicts and a rising oil price all contributed to a rise in mortgage rates.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The documentary chronicles the escalating tensions between lifestyle content creators and locals, including the mayor, and a restaurant owner trying to preserve his business.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
Although the march began peacefully, tensions escalated as clashes broke out between protesters and police.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
In District 7, situated at the center of the country’s largest Vietnamese community, incumbent Bien Doan was leading with 48% of the vote in a race marked by sharp personal tensions and a 16-year trend of incumbents failing to secure reelection.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Under such circumstances, few of those in charge want to risk their own political careers through defusing tensions with other countries.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The couple reportedly scaled back earlier White House wedding considerations in favor of a smaller Bahamas celebration amid tensions surrounding the war in Iran.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tensions
Noun
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Opponents to the bills worry the policy puts the administration of lethal drug dosages on the same footing as other forms of treatment, adding new cost-benefit pressures on patients, their doctors, facilities and insurers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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Crucially, the strategy also supports diversifying tourism beyond Machu Picchu, encouraging travelers to explore the wider Sacred Valley and surrounding regions, helping distribute economic benefits while reducing overtourism pressures on the sanctuary itself.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Pell Grant rules are changing The new tax law also tightens eligibility requirements for the Pell Grant program, the largest federal aid program for low-income students.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
Continue reading … REALITY CHECK — Spencer Pratt gains ground on Karen Bass as LA mayoral race tightens.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Some television creators aim to provide audiences with an escape from the stresses of living in a tumultuous world.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
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But everyone involved stresses that Haitian authorities have to be ready to do their part, including addressing the overwhelming number of children who are part of the gangs.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2026
Verb
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From up here, San Sebastián gleams to the east, the sea stretches endlessly forward, and silence settles like an ancient cloak.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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The kitchen stretches from the front of the restaurant along the side wall and into the back of the dining room.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Noun
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These older strains of wheat and grains have been gaining more and more attention as they’re sometimes better tolerated than mass market wheats by many folks adversely affected by gluten.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
-
Heritage strains tend to be grown with fewer pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and some people who react poorly to modern wheat tolerate them better.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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In a chilling sequence, Dennis ties a garbage bag over Mallory’s head and drags her into the woods.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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The imbalance ties the hands of states trying to do what is fairest and allows states that don’t have commissions to change their maps and thus potentially their election outcomes.—
The Editorial Board,
Daily News,
29 May 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
Verb
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The other piece in this story is the man who binds Episodes 6 and 7 together –– despite them being separated by 300 years.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
27 May 2026
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To retain the remaining six members, the Mountain West offered a distribution plan for the incoming exit and poaching fees in exchange for signing a grant of rights that binds them to the conference for six years.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tensions. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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