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

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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
Mechanics can easily calibrate and adjust system tension using an integrated clamping piece, ensuring consistent mechanical support throughout long operational cycles. — IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026 The September meeting can decide next month’s barrels without internal tensions spilling out. — Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 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
  • Professional racers on prototypes (and now production models) of the 805 RX are proving the bike’s ability to withstand competitive pressure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Which coach has been left under the most pressure by their club’s business?
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 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
  • Salas struggled offensively throughout 2024, missed almost all of 2025 because of a stress reaction in his back and plummeted on prospect lists as a result.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The company, which offers credit cards used to make rent and mortgage payments, had fumbled a critical transition, leading to confusion and financial stress for its customers.
    — Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of stress
Verb
  • As tuition climbs and federal oversight tightens on low-earning programs, a new tool lets families compare outcomes across California campuses.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, a July 2026 Federal Reserve survey on bank lending practices showed that, compared to 2005, lending standards have tightened for all types of loans, except commercial and industrial lending.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tighten
Noun
  • The strain between city and club began in 2022, when a land deal between two parties for the Angels to purchase the stadium and surrounding property fell through amid a scandal.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Riyadh has been pressing businesses that serve the kingdom from the UAE to move to the kingdom, and strains between the two countries have surfaced in border delays and refused visas.
    — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tension

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tension

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