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
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Recent Examples of tensions
Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Demand for cross-border relocation, residency planning and citizenship consultancy services is being driven by geopolitical tensions and sudden policy shifts, advisers who work with ultra-high-net-worth clients told CNBC.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
To do the job well, historical novelists must learn about the conventions of an era, the social and political tensions of the time even if these are only used to sketch out the background.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
There have also reportedly been internal tensions at xAI over the pace of product development and technical demands amid intense competition.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
As tensions simmer, neighboring countries have been mediating between the two sides to avert a war, noting that any conflict could spread and destabilize the Middle East.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Crowds appeared to dwindle as tensions rose near ICE's Los Angeles Field Office at the intersection of East Temple and North Alameda streets.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The pullback suggests Trump wants to ease tensions in Minneapolis, especially after the killing of protester Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents has drawn widespread criticism.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
From trade tensions and shifting sourcing strategies to evolving fabric trends, Bluezone in Munich once again served as a barometer for where the denim industry is headed.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
Maegan Ortiz, executive director of the Institute of Popular Education of Southern California, or IDEPSCA, cited the LAPD’s history of using excessive force against civilians and said that in the recent immigration raids, officers have sometimes inflamed instead of defused tensions.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Demand for cross-border relocation, residency planning and citizenship consultancy services is being driven by geopolitical tensions and sudden policy shifts, advisers who work with ultra-high-net-worth clients told CNBC.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
To do the job well, historical novelists must learn about the conventions of an era, the social and political tensions of the time even if these are only used to sketch out the background.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
There have also reportedly been internal tensions at xAI over the pace of product development and technical demands amid intense competition.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
As tensions simmer, neighboring countries have been mediating between the two sides to avert a war, noting that any conflict could spread and destabilize the Middle East.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Crowds appeared to dwindle as tensions rose near ICE's Los Angeles Field Office at the intersection of East Temple and North Alameda streets.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The pullback suggests Trump wants to ease tensions in Minneapolis, especially after the killing of protester Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents has drawn widespread criticism.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
From trade tensions and shifting sourcing strategies to evolving fabric trends, Bluezone in Munich once again served as a barometer for where the denim industry is headed.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tensions
Noun
-
With similar pressures and temperatures to those found at Earth’s surface, Venus, up above its cloud-tops, might already be home to simple but hardy microbial life forms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Shares of Arm, which went public in 2023, have also faced broader tech market pressures in the lead-up to earnings and are down 4% year-to-date.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But once utilities begin raising lake levels ahead of summer recreation, Jones said, the margin tightens.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But as the degree programs have grown in popularity, disagreements continue to emerge between California State University and California Community Colleges as competition for students tightens.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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She’s spent the day helping freshmen learn essential skills and navigate the stresses of their first year of college.—
Tom Grimes,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
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There are many other stresses that are taking up Hamlin’s time.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Hyde Park Herald reported the shooting took place in Nichols Park, which stretches from 53rd Street to 55th Street between Kimbark and Kenwood avenues.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Onana stretches both hands in front of him, waiting for the Villa supporters to build the anticipation.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After a short hospital stay, Guillen recovered physically, but the remaining emotional and financial strains have forced Blue Oak RV Park — and likely its adjoining restaurant — to close permanently.—
Gretchen Butwid,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Flexor and lat strains limited him to just eight starts in 2025, and there was also an index finger strain in 2024.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ratcliffe’s comments align with the arguments made by Britain’s right-wing populist Reform UK party, which ties its anti-immigrant message to protecting the country.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
House Bill 1002 also ties utility profits to performance metrics, including affordability and service restoration, and utilities will use a three-year rate plan.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Selenium binds to protein, so protein-rich foods are usually high in this mineral.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Tate is the connective tissue who binds all those parts together.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tensions. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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