1
as in pressure
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time
with a full-time job and her college courses, the young woman is under a lot of stress right now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emphasis
a special notice or importance given to something
the company's orientation program places considerable stress on workplace safety
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety
the restaurant manager has a tendency to stress about every little thing that goes wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to emphasize
to make more apparent
his bad performance only stressed what I'd been saying all along
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to highlight
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
the doctor stressed the importance of exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stress
Andy Behrens, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Ashwagandha, for example, is one of the most studied adaptogens for reducing cortisol and improving the body’s stress response.
—Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 30 Mar. 2026
Heather Bien, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Many of those animals are surrendered when their owners can no longer properly care for them, an issue that Alessandro Catenazzi, associate professor of biological science at Florida International University, stressed.
—Julian Camejo, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stress
Noun
Lucas Erceg converted a low-stress save opportunity for Kansas City the following night.
—Andy Behrens, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Ashwagandha, for example, is one of the most studied adaptogens for reducing cortisol and improving the body’s stress response.
—Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Avoid Transplant Shock Transplanting a hydrangea at the wrong time of year stresses the plant and affects the next bloom.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Many of those animals are surrendered when their owners can no longer properly care for them, an issue that Alessandro Catenazzi, associate professor of biological science at Florida International University, stressed.
—Julian Camejo, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stress
Noun
-
Lago explained in a March 10 meeting that the fee would make required maintenance cheaper and easier for business owners, while letting the city manage sidewalk pressure-cleaning and repairs, landscaping and streetscape upkeep to clean and beautify the city.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Geopolitical shifts compound these pressures.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Musk also requested that the banks advertise on X, though this request was reportedly less of an emphasis.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Betts embraced new training methods, with an emphasis on stretching.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hernandez said he was encouraged by recent meetings with Republican members of Congress from his home state, Florida, but worries other priorities will drown out the bill, as has happened in the past.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Ajmera said her neighbors worry the center could impact their water bills or introduce loud humming noises to the largely residential area.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Baugh, too, emphasized the generational divide.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
This emphasizes the attackers more.—
PJ Green
April 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another heart highlighted the lasting impacts from the redlining of Troost Avenue a century ago, which long served as a dividing line of racial segregation in Kansas City.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Capricorn December 22 – January 19 The universe is highlighting home chores and other private duties.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Williams, an All-Star in 2025, has missed 27 games this season because of a right hamstring strain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Even as prices rise, demand remains steady and drivers continue to feel the strain.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The storm, which hit the New York area in October, 2012, unlocked billions of dollars in resilience spending, with hurricanes, rather than heat waves or cloudbursts, as the focus.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But Shanxi's major focus and biggest success for life after coal has been tourism.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ezra's parents say that the moment is one that will be memorable for some time to come, further reinforcing his dreams of one day joining the law enforcement community.—
Lesley Marin,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities reinforced security around Jewish sites in the wake of explosions last month outside synagogues in Liege, Belgium, and the Dutch port city of Rotterdam and outside a Jewish school in Amsterdam.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stress. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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