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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
ABC News, 20 May 2026
The war in Ukraine exposed the vulnerability of centralized gas-dependent systems, while tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and broader instability in the Middle East continue to highlight the risks embedded in global fossil fuel supply chains.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Mayor Gloria, in an interview with CBS News, said that the polarized state of our politics heightens tensions and that messages of unity and tolerance don’t always generate the clicks on social media.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Still, the majority of attendees opposed allowing data centers in the county, and tensions inside the hearing room occasionally escalated as audience members loudly reacted to speakers with opposing views.
—Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 20 May 2026
But tensions in the Middle East aren’t so easily remedied, points out UBS’s Paul Donovan in a note to clients this morning.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 May 2026
Trump has repeatedly made optimistic statements about reaching a deal with Iran and a quick end to the war, only for tensions to escalate again between Washington and Tehran.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 20 May 2026
The Holy See has historically played a distinctive backchannel role in easing tensions between the two adversaries.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Trade and tariff disputes, technology restrictions, and security tensions, from the Taiwan Strait to the broader Asia-Pacific, have hardened attitudes on both sides.
—Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Noun
The attack comes at a time of rising tensions between China and Japan.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
The war in Ukraine exposed the vulnerability of centralized gas-dependent systems, while tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and broader instability in the Middle East continue to highlight the risks embedded in global fossil fuel supply chains.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Mayor Gloria, in an interview with CBS News, said that the polarized state of our politics heightens tensions and that messages of unity and tolerance don’t always generate the clicks on social media.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Still, the majority of attendees opposed allowing data centers in the county, and tensions inside the hearing room occasionally escalated as audience members loudly reacted to speakers with opposing views.
—Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 20 May 2026
But tensions in the Middle East aren’t so easily remedied, points out UBS’s Paul Donovan in a note to clients this morning.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 May 2026
Trump has repeatedly made optimistic statements about reaching a deal with Iran and a quick end to the war, only for tensions to escalate again between Washington and Tehran.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 20 May 2026
The Holy See has historically played a distinctive backchannel role in easing tensions between the two adversaries.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Trade and tariff disputes, technology restrictions, and security tensions, from the Taiwan Strait to the broader Asia-Pacific, have hardened attitudes on both sides.
—Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tensions
Noun
-
In 2020, as the fear of COVID-19 began to escalate and financial pressures mounted, Stewart, her husband and their three children packed their belongings into a small trailer attached to their 2015 Kia Optima and left for Tennessee in search of something better.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Many voters turned to Trump to alleviate their economic pressures.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Reliable salicylic acid gently exfoliates dead skin cells and tightens the look of pores while time-tested, calming K-beauty favorites, such as cica, mugwort, and artemisia powder—which can kill off acne-causing bacteria—help leave skin looking softer and smoother.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
20 May 2026
-
The announcement highlights how China’s largest technology companies are increasingly investing in their own processors as Washington tightens controls on access to advanced American semiconductor technology.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The women are blithely dismissive of their tedious work, but their relationships fray under new stresses—including intrusive surveillance.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Life's stresses seem to slow down with the rhythmic motion of a rocking chair.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
This is where the tension stretches tightest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Waterton Lake stretches blue in both directions, with America’s purple mountains rising to the south.—
Shilo Urban,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
There are four different Ebola strains, also known as orthoebolaviruses.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
There are four virus strains known to cause Ebola disease in humans, and three have caused large outbreaks (Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo).—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Track when the first hospital system ties a disinfection robot fleet to a bond disclosure.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Now, a civil complaint filed May 1 by her brother on behalf of her estate ties her 2024 murder to an elaborate real estate fraud allegedly orchestrated by her estranged husband.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 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
-
The web of hospitality here binds residents of all ages together for a fulfilling and memory-rich lifestyle.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
16 May 2026
-
This gel-like substance coats your gut and binds to cholesterol, preventing it from entering your bloodstream.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tensions. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
