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
Teresa Liu, Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026
In other words, energy markets are volatile, supply chains are tightening and trade tensions are heating up (again).
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
In a further escalation of tensions with Kyiv, Hungary's parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution giving the government the green light to oppose Ukraine's path to joining the European Union and reject any initiatives to supply Ukraine with weapons or funding.
—Justin Spike The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
The sinking comes amid rising tensions in the region as air strikes and military actions continue between Iran, Israel, and allied forces.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
California wine producers announce major layoffs and facility closures amid an oversupply crisis, declining consumer demand and trade tensions threatening the state’s wine industry.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The tribute underscored the enduring legacy of the war, even as contemporary tensions on the peninsula went unaddressed in the speech.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
Those tensions were reflected in comments from council members during Wednesday’s meeting.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026
In other words, energy markets are volatile, supply chains are tightening and trade tensions are heating up (again).
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
In a further escalation of tensions with Kyiv, Hungary's parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution giving the government the green light to oppose Ukraine's path to joining the European Union and reject any initiatives to supply Ukraine with weapons or funding.
—Justin Spike The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
The sinking comes amid rising tensions in the region as air strikes and military actions continue between Iran, Israel, and allied forces.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
California wine producers announce major layoffs and facility closures amid an oversupply crisis, declining consumer demand and trade tensions threatening the state’s wine industry.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The tribute underscored the enduring legacy of the war, even as contemporary tensions on the peninsula went unaddressed in the speech.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tensions
Noun
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Combined with inflation pressures from rising oil prices, that could reverse the recent downward trend in mortgage rates, experts say.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Adam Bazaldua, Laura Cadena, Paula Blackmon, Bill Roth, Cara Mendelsohn and Paul Ridley argued the city has not fully vetted repair costs or considered the budget impact of leasing new office space while Dallas is already facing fiscal pressures.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Further, according to the paper, when supply tightens, richer nations outbid poorer ones for scarce shipments, exacerbating challenges for vulnerable economies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
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As Europe tightens rules on single-use plastics, fiber producers are making the case that regenerated cellulose could become a cornerstone of the region’s fossil-free materials strategy.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Yet family nurse practitioner Munira Maalimisaq sees reason to be thankful amid the stresses.—
Luis Andres Henao,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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That is why Microsoft's research stresses combining provenance tracking with watermarking and cryptographic signatures.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The 2nd District stretches from the central part of the state west to the Mississippi River and is considered a Democratic stronghold, setting Thompson up to win his 18th congressional term.—
JEFF AMY AND SOPHIE BATES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
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The veteran Swedish defender reads play early, organizes the defensive line and rarely panics when San Diego’s aggressive pressing scheme stretches the field.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Coach Billy Donovan cited Giddey’s extensive record with ankle tweaks and strains — including a notable one at the end of last season — as a source of confidence for the medical team in Giddey’s discretion regarding his injuries.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, there are several strains of the flu circulating.—
Hali Smith
March 5,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What ties all five of these spots together is that each one offers something beyond the expected.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Xavier’s arc this season also ties into Maddie’s relationship with her mom.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
4 Mar. 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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Buckeye by Patrick Ryan A fleeting moment of passion in post–VE Day Ohio binds Cal Jenkins and Margaret Salt, setting off a chain of secrets that spans generations.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
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The document binds none of them.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tensions. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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