TENSION Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

tension 1 of 2

noun

ˈten(t)-shən

Definition of tension

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

Whitney debuts on Broadway in New York City as tensions back home chase her. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 Global trade tensions grew among several major powers, with little sign of respite on the horizon. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 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

Noun

The Sun quincunxes Pluto, highlighting where careful effort meets control issues, hidden pressure, or shifting priorities.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
The project uses horror and darkly comic genre elements to approach the psychological pressures of motherhood, extending Urban’s interest in personal experience as a route into broader social and political terrain.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 26 Aug. 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

Long before this year’s Iran war saw its home front and world-class air defenses put under unprecedented assault and strain, the United Arab Emirates endured its first drone and missile attacks from the Houthis in Yemen in January 2022.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
In April, a right calf strain cost Soto just under three weeks of action.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of strain

Browse Nearby Words

tensing

tension

tensioned

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“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tension. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tension

noun

verb

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