TENSIONS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

tensions 1 of 2

noun

plural of tension

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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tensions

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of tension

as in tightens

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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 tensions

Noun

On Sunday, Roman Goffman, the chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, met again with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Jordan to ease the latest tensions, according to the Syrian state news agency. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 Nawrocki responded by withdrawing a state honor awarded to Zelenskyy, further escalating the tensions. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 What follows is an ascent shaped as much by tensions of origin, class and conflicting ambitions as by the dangers of the mountain itself. — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 The last several years have taught them that private family tensions have a habit of becoming very public. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 These tensions took center stage in June when the 1,424-home Toll Brothers at Alder Creek project gained approval. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Trump floated renaming Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, amid growing trade tensions with Canada. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Weeks of Iranian drone and missile attacks on the UAE earlier this year, the vast majority of which were intercepted, sparked tensions among locals and hammered the country's tourism and aviation industry. — Jenni Reid,emma Graham, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026 Wednesday, would have escalated tensions between the United States and its northern neighbor, a key trading partner. — Rachel Lerman, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tensions

Noun

Investors are hungry for more information regarding the chair's views on the economy, inflation pressures and the role of monetary policymaking.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 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 pressures

Verb

Drawing on existing generation without adding new supply tightens the market and can raise everyone else’s bills.

— Mark Drapeau, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
What happens to real estate income, private equity valuations and public equity prices at the same time if the currency regime shifts, or if regional liquidity tightens for 18 months instead of 18 weeks?

— Khalifa Aldhaheri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of tightens

Noun

The platform will be monitored over time to assess how the bamboo composite performs against fatigue, environmental exposure and other stresses encountered offshore.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Amid the stresses of the Arctic, scientists are rethinking the idea that all life is a cutthroat competition with winners and losers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of stresses

Verb

Cheeca Lodge & Spa Cheeca Lodge’s history stretches back to the late 1800s, but the property became a resort in 1946 when Clara May Downey purchased it and renamed it the Olney Inn.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
The fire in the High Fens, which stretches across the border with Germany, is smoldering atop a much-bloodied battlefield where Nazis fought Allied troops.

— Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of stretches

Noun

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID dashboard, new data on strains is currently unavailable due to low sequencing submissions.

— Christy Santhosh, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Yet these strains have not led to the rupture that some observers had predicted.

— C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of strains

Verb

Banda recorded her second assist of the year and ninth career regular-season helper, which ties her with Alex Morgan for second-most in club history.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
But now, the cutter has become the rug that ties Melton’s room together.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of ties

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tensioning

tensions

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“Tensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tensions. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tensions

noun

verb

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