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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The outcome, which Vucic announced only around an hour and a half after polls closed, came after tensions had built as voting progressed during the day. — Jovana Gec, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 The outcome, which Vucic announced about an hour and a half after polls closed, came after tensions had built as voting progressed during the day. — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 The film is expected to follow the obstacles of carrying out a humanitarian mission as tensions rise. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026 If the unrest continues, confidence deteriorates further or market tensions intensify, growth could be even weaker. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 With tensions rising between Israel’s far-right ministers and Hamas, the arrangement had run its course, Qatar believed. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026 Hundreds of businesses were looted nationwide, and unrest continued Sunday in Paris, where police used tear gas as tensions flared around Place de la République. — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Like tensions in Poland between technology and the role of the Catholic Church. — Lissa Soep, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026 In 2020, tensions erupted into a civil war that in just two years left at least 100,000 people dead, with some estimates rising to more than half a million. — Siyanne Mekonnen, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tensions

Noun

If winter temperatures turn unusually cold, supply pressures could intensify further.

— , CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
As interest rates increased, the value of those securities declined while deposit pressures increased.

— Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressures

Verb

Slowing debt issuance as the credit environment tightens could hinder companies' ability to finance the AI infrastructure buildout, Crisafulli added.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Bubbles pop when liquidity tightens, meaning higher rates or stiffer regulation make money harder to borrow, and private creditors grow less willing to lend at any rate.

— RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tightens

Noun

But modern day stresses are replaced with real life stresses for the tribe, like finding water, staying warm, and protecting the herd—the family’s currency—from jackals and wild dogs.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
That’s a point De Los Angeles’ doctor at Sylvester stresses, too.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of stresses

Verb

More specifically, the Base-01 stretches out over a patch of earthen floor measuring 183 sq ft (17 sq m) – about the same amount of floor as this handsome Ikea tiny home.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
The first island chain, which stretches from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines, is a central geographic feature in US and Chinese military planning.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of stretches

Noun

Those fiscal strains come as political volatility and social unrest raise doubts about the government’s ability to deliver measures aimed at stabilizing the public finances.

— Jenni Reid,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
The first focuses on improving protein yields by optimizing gene sequences, introducing them into Spiber’s proprietary microbial strains and evaluating their performance.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of strains

Verb

Jay Ajayi ties an NFL record by surpassing 200 yards rushing for the second game in a row, helping the Miami Dolphins rally past the Buffalo Bills 28-25.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The robe features a small belt that ties together at the back, a leash opening at the top, and a velcro closure.

— Tim Chan, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ties

Verb

In an era of parasocial pop stardom, the radical honesty of Cyrus’ approach — her clear-eyed appraisal of the relationship that binds an idol and her audience — was kind of a thrill to behold.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
A certain symmetry binds her career and the league – 15 years, half of the league’s existence.

— Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of binds

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tensioning

tensions

ten-speed

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Style

“Tensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tensions. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tensions

noun

verb

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