TENSIONS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

tensions 1 of 2

noun

plural of tension

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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tensions

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of tension

as in tightens

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tensions

Noun

Markets seem trapped in a cycle of Iran tensions leading to higher oil prices, which leads to stocks moving lower and ultimately inflation concerns rising. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026 The two sides later launched trade talks and called off some of their most stringent measures, but tensions have remained high. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 Waiting for Lefty The actor Steven Pasquale makes his directing debut with this revival of Clifford Odets’s 1935 play made famous by the Group Theatre, about the boiling tensions of a Depression-era New York cabdrivers’ strike. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 As a result, many organizations, regardless of their pace of adoption, face growing tensions between speed and control. — Kumar Chivukula, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 The couple’s reaction to the letter, which confirms that their status remains unchanged, highlights tensions surrounding their return to the United Kingdom. — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Tensions between the city and union Buckley’s directive follows recent tensions between the city and Local 42, including a recent fight over prior arbitration on a new position. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026 And the America that was attacked was already a nation with its own history and tensions, with stress points of dispute and disagreement put under additional strain by the catastrophic event. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 Another top Pentagon official has resigned amid tensions with Secretary Pete Hegseth. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tensions

Noun

Looking purely at inflationary pressures, the case for the Federal Reserve to raise rates further is also growing.

— , CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
The unit paved the way for a 228-yard rushing performance and allowed just four pressures.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of pressures

Noun

Over the years, oil chemistries have gotten more sophisticated to cope with the stresses of tinier engines pushing bigger boost while also mitigating their environmental impact.

— Adam Ismail, The Drive, 10 Sep. 2026
Despite the stresses of early fame, Smith remained optimistic about the future.

— News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of stresses

Verb

Although the first topological ideas only emerged in the 18th century, the history of the Platonic solids stretches back much further.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026
As Sean McVay enters his 10th season, his coaching tree stretches across the NFL, with former Rams assistants now leading the Packers, Bengals, Vikings, Jaguars and Cardinals as head coaches.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of stretches

Noun

The AfD was created in 2013 as a small anti-euro party before morphing into an anti-migrant force that tapped into voter frustration over immigration and the strains many Germans perceive on housing, jobs and public services.

— Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
The world needs research to keep just ahead of the latest challenges—such as rising temperatures and new strains of old agricultural diseases.

— Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of strains

Verb

The list also reaches into the everyday commerce that binds the two economies, including cheese, seafood and cosmetics.

— Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Epoxy resin impregnates and binds the reinforcing layers, helping turn the separate fiber skins and honeycomb into one stiff, lightweight structure.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of binds

Browse Nearby Words

tensioning

tensions

ten-speed

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“Tensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tensions. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tensions

noun

verb

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