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
Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
The ratchet higher in tensions between the world’s largest economies led to widespread drops across Wall Street, with roughly six out of every seven stocks within the S&P 500 falling.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
So, Harrison issued a proclamation to make the anniversary a national holiday as a means to placate tensions.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Oct. 2025
Back in Liverpool, tensions continue to bubble amongst the remaining members of the gang.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
After a dust-up with Ted over the local grocery store’s adherence to the state’s mask mandate, Joe impulsively announces his rival candidacy for mayor of Eddington, and tensions eventually boil over to the point of deadly violence.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
In an apparent thawing of political tensions, however, Chinese tech giant Alibaba on Thursday announced a multi-year partnership with the NBA to provide artificial intelligence and cloud services in China.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The Padres and Chicago Cubs squared off in a high-intensity Game 3 and tensions reached their peak in the ninth inning.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The moon’s clash with Uranus amplifies tensions with a business partner or colleague today.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
Despite ongoing trade talks between Washington and Beijing, trade tensions re-escalated Thursday after China ramped up export restrictions on critical rare earth minerals.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
The ratchet higher in tensions between the world’s largest economies led to widespread drops across Wall Street, with roughly six out of every seven stocks within the S&P 500 falling.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
So, Harrison issued a proclamation to make the anniversary a national holiday as a means to placate tensions.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Oct. 2025
Back in Liverpool, tensions continue to bubble amongst the remaining members of the gang.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
After a dust-up with Ted over the local grocery store’s adherence to the state’s mask mandate, Joe impulsively announces his rival candidacy for mayor of Eddington, and tensions eventually boil over to the point of deadly violence.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
In an apparent thawing of political tensions, however, Chinese tech giant Alibaba on Thursday announced a multi-year partnership with the NBA to provide artificial intelligence and cloud services in China.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The Padres and Chicago Cubs squared off in a high-intensity Game 3 and tensions reached their peak in the ninth inning.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The moon’s clash with Uranus amplifies tensions with a business partner or colleague today.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tensions
Noun
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Miami recorded 42 total pressures and 36 quarterback hurries on 88 snaps, per Pro Football Focus — nearly one every two dropbacks.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The strain and pressures directors are experiencing in the boardroom mirror the broader societal and systemic forces shaping today’s environment.—
Lara Abrash,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Alzheimer’s disease drugs Caffeine constricts blood vessels and tightens the blood-brain barrier, potentially limiting how much Alzheimer’s medication reaches the brain and reducing its therapeutic benefit.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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The election result locks in another chapter of progressive representation in Congress for southern Arizona, and tightens Republicans’ majority on Capitol Hill.—
Laura Gersony,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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Air traffic control has had longstanding staffing issues, but the stresses created by that are only exacerbated by the shutdown for controllers.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One of the most significant is the Philippine Fault Zone (PFZ), a 1,200-kilometer fracture that stretches from Luzon to Mindanao.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Herschel crater stretches 80 miles (130 kilometers) across, and is playing a key role in the discussion about the existence of Mimas' ocean.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Through every challenge — from the uncertainty of COVID to the strains of tariffs — his optimism never wavered.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
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Alongside psyllium, certain probiotic strains and magnesium oxide were found to help improve symptoms.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Thinking of patriotism this way ties it more closely to solidarity.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
13 Oct. 2025
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By the end, only one of the assassins is alive; Brian ties him to a tree and slaps him around a bit, demanding to know who hired him.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On the smallest scales, the strong nuclear force binds quarks into bound structures, three-at-a-time, known as baryons.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
16 Oct. 2025
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The drug binds to a particular protein on immune system cells called T cells and reduces their ability to attack the body’s beta cells.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tensions. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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