tensions 1 of 2

Definition of tensionsnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tensions

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of tension

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
As tensions simmer, neighboring countries have been mediating between the two sides to avert a war, noting that any conflict could spread and destabilize the Middle East. Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026 Crowds appeared to dwindle as tensions rose near ICE's Los Angeles Field Office at the intersection of East Temple and North Alameda streets. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026 The pullback suggests Trump wants to ease tensions in Minneapolis, especially after the killing of protester Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents has drawn widespread criticism. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026 The report also highlights the tensions that still exist within the complex web of legal, educational, law enforcement and for-profit entities that are all needed to process the violations that start with cameras attached to school buses. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026 From trade tensions and shifting sourcing strategies to evolving fabric trends, Bluezone in Munich once again served as a barometer for where the denim industry is headed. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2026 Still, India would also be keen to not scupper its rapprochement with the States after months of trade tensions. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026 Supply chains are under pressure, with geopolitical tensions impacting nearly 70% of international trade. Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 In a post-wedding interview with The Times in October 2022, Nicola spoke warmly of Harper, but according to the journalist who did the interview, the tensions with the Beckhams were already apparent then. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tensions
Noun
  • 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
  • Shares of Arm, which went public in 2023, have also faced broader tech market pressures in the lead-up to earnings and are down 4% year-to-date.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • As their orbit tightens, the relativistic precession of the stars speeds up, while the planet’s precession slows down, because the stars act more like a single object from far away.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
  • An InStyle writer says the Tula Skin Care Spresso Energizing Eye Balm brightens and tightens the under eyes, and its cooling effect feels like a mini ice bath.
    Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Set inland in the country’s western region, Cayo is defined by lush rain forest, winding rivers, and a strong sense of remoteness that makes everyday stresses seem distant and insignificant.
    Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Perdix units have been produced at scale and proven reliable at extreme speeds, in cold temperatures, and under launch stresses.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Organizers said 27 brands are represented at the show, which has a legacy that stretches back to 1902.
    Keith Laing, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The reach of the gym on Metropolitan Parkway, about halfway between the airport and downtown Atlanta, stretches far beyond its neighborhood.
    Ryan Dennis, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This offering from Now contains 10 probiotic strains that have been identified and verified to naturally colonize the human GI tract.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Now, that practice appears to be one of the primary strains on the jail.
    Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • House Bill 1002 also ties utility profits to performance metrics, including affordability and service restoration.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Stapleton has won three times in the past, which currently ties him with Kacey Musgraves, Josh Kear and Lori McKenna.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Canned Beans Beans are heart-healthy legumes rich in soluble fiber, which binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract and helps to flush it out of the body.
    Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2026
  • One large egg binds with the breadcrumbs and ensures that the meatballs remain moist and tender.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tensions. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

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