tension 1 of 2

noun

ˈten(t)-shən How to pronounce tension (audio)
Definition of tensionnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tension

2 of 2

verb

as in to tense

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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 tension
Noun
While the hot-cold cycles didn’t completely erase the tension of being confined in a car with my kids, sneaking away to the adults-only mineral pools — one enriched with magnesium, another with potassium — was a nice reset. — Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026 It’s been a long and hard journey since Honda announced its return as a full F1 PU manufacturer with Aston in 2023, but tensions peaked in Australia when both parties, along with the rest of the world, realized just how dire things were. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
In terms of speech, this means the neurons needed to convert the desire to say a word into the muscle activity needed to control the mouth and tongue, expel sufficient breath, and tension the vocal cords. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, 20 May 2024 In a lengthy chat with host Stephen Colbert, the director and actress spoke about everything from firing Shia LaBeouf to tension with star Florence Pugh to whether Harry Styles actually spit on Chris Pine. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for tension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tension
  1. pressure
  2. tense
  3. stress
  4. tighten
  5. strain
Noun
  • The Sun quincunxes Pluto, highlighting where careful effort meets control issues, hidden pressure, or shifting priorities.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The project uses horror and darkly comic genre elements to approach the psychological pressures of motherhood, extending Urban’s interest in personal experience as a route into broader social and political terrain.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pressure
Verb
  • The women tensed when the deputy warden of the Rostov jail, a curt, imperious man with a heavy-footed gait, walked in.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • As that handover proceeds, the excitatory signal that keeps your muscles faintly tensed all day begins to withdraw, and muscle tone drops toward the near-paralysis of deep sleep.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of tense
Noun
  • Persistent heat this summer may have created some crop stress and higher irrigation needs for farmers.
    — Cristina LaRue, Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The challenge, Hylving stresses, is whether a shopping complex can become a genuine fixture in people’s daily routines, rather than a one-off visit.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of stress
Verb
  • Their lawsuit against Jones and the 2022 verdict marked the first time he was held financially liable for peddling lies about the massacre, claiming it was faked by the government to tighten gun laws.
    — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit and 2022 verdict against Jones marked the first time he was held financially liable for peddling lies about the massacre, claiming it was faked by the government to tighten gun laws.
    — Jim Vertuno, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tighten
Noun
  • Other Giants pitchers on the IL include Matt Gage (left elbow strain), Trevor McDonald (right elbow strain), and Keaton Winn (right elbow neuritis).
    — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • But for the future of the Reds, the most important thing down the stretch might be whether McLain can continue his improved production since his late July return from a calf strain.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of strain

Browse Nearby Words

tensing
tension
tensioned
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Cite this Entry

“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tension

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