tension 1 of 2

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

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
However, so far, Trump has not acknowledged this tension. ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025 Between the bottled beers and canapés, however, there was little sign of the brewing tensions behind the scenes. Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
The team will separate and individually tension each of the five sunshield layers, stretching them into their final shape. Julia Musto, Fox News, 2 Jan. 2022 Will tension between hawks and doves be the defining characteristic of Juntos going forward? Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 14 Nov. 2021 See All Example Sentences for tension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tension
Noun
  • The Fed's most potent weapon against inflation is to ratchet up or maintain higher interest rates, because an increase in borrowing costs slows economic demand, which eases inflationary pressures.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • After wriggling away from pressure, Watkins’ strike deflected off Schar and past Nick Pope in goal.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sigmon’s arms briefly tensed when he was shot, and the target was blasted off his chest.
    Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Moore briefly smiled, may have tensed her jaw and uttered one word to the person next to her, according to a lip-reader hired by the Daily Mail to decipher her reaction.
    Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Angela, having ditched her hoodie-centric wardrobe to transform into a beaming bride, also strives to honor the seriousness of the occasion—though a secret she’s been carrying makes a royal mess of the proceedings, and opens stress cracks in the relationships of both couples.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The damages go beyond loss of learning, a dire consequence in its own right: Millions of families, both children and parents, still carry the scars of stress, depression, and isolation.
    David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Texas bills would tighten uncertified teacher rules A provision in Texas House Bill 2 would bar school districts from employing teachers without certifications, and give them extra money to certify any teachers who aren’t already certified.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Yet, risks of a global economic downturn still threaten the sector, which could cause all consumers to tighten their purse strings.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At times patients will mistake this for a migraine or eye strain, Dr. Markus says.
    Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Given the strains facing state finances soon, though, some legislators have said this tax cut might need to be phased in over several years.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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