tension

1 of 2

noun

ten·​sion ˈten(t)-shən How to pronounce tension (audio)
Synonyms of tension
1
a
: inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion
b
: a state of latent hostility or opposition between individuals or groups
c
: a balance maintained in an artistic work between opposing forces or elements
2
a
: the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness : tautness
b
: stress sense 1e
3
a
: either of two balancing forces causing or tending to cause extension
b
: the stress resulting from the elongation of an elastic body
4
: a device to produce a desired tension (as in a loom)
tensional
ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce tension (audio)
adjective
tensionless
ˈten(t)-shən-ləs How to pronounce tension (audio)
adjective

tension

2 of 2

verb

tensioned; tensioning ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce tension (audio)

transitive verb

: to subject to tension
especially : to tighten to a desired or appropriate degree
tensioner
ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nər How to pronounce tension (audio)
noun

Synonyms of tension

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of tension in a Sentence

Noun You can see she is just filled with tension about her job. The dramatic tension was very satisfying. The author resolves the tension too soon. Political tensions in the region make it unstable. Do you sense the tension between those two? There was a lot of tension at the meeting. The book describes the tension-filled days before the war. He felt a tension between duty and love. There will always be some tension between the desire to reduce risk and the desire to make as much money as possible.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
The agency said the implementation of the ceasefire was fragile and tensions are high. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 The funeral, which ends Thursday, was supposed to be a period of lower tensions. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Verb
The roof bars tension the whole tent nicely, pulling against the stakes, so there’s no slack in the walls and no sag in the roof. — Bill Gifford, Outside Online, 26 July 2022 The motors can tension the tendons, allowing the hand to absorb violent shocks. — IEEE Spectrum, 25 Jan. 2011 See All Example Sentences for tension

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French and Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin tensiōn-, tensiō "process of drawing tight, constriction, spasm," from tendere "to extend outward, stretch, draw tight" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at tender entry 3

Verb

derivative of tension entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tension was in 1533

Phrases Containing tension

Rhymes for tension

See All Rhymes for tension

Browse Nearby Words

tensiometer
tension
tensional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tension. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tension

noun
ten·​sion
ˈten-chən
1
a
: the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness
tension of a muscle
b
: stress entry 1 sense 1c
2
a
: a state of mental unrest that is often accompanied by physical signs (as perspiring) of emotion
b
: a state of unfriendliness between individuals or groups

Medical Definition

tension

noun
ten·​sion ˈten-chən How to pronounce tension (audio)
1
a
: the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness
muscular tension
b
: stress sense 1b
2
a
: either of two balancing forces causing or tending to cause extension
b
: the stress resulting from the elongation of an elastic body
3
: inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion
4
: partial pressure
tensional
ˈtench-nəl, -ən-ᵊl How to pronounce tension (audio)
adjective
tensionless
ˈten-chən-ləs How to pronounce tension (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on tension

Nglish: Translation of tension for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tension

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