Pressure: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this term when referring to the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it. It can also describe psychological or emotional stress.

• The water pressure in the shower is very low
• She felt a lot of pressure to meet the deadline

This word is used when talking about physical strength, energy, or power. It often refers to the effort used to make something move or change.

• The wind's force was enough to knock down trees
• She applied enough force to open the jar

This term is often used to describe a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. It can also refer to the force applied to a material that can lead to its deformation.

• She is under a lot of stress from her job
• The beams are designed to withstand stress without bending

Tension refers to the state of being stretched tight, often used in both physical and emotional contexts. It can imply a sense of strain or conflict.

• The tension in the rope was palpable
• There was a lot of tension in the room during the argument

Strain is used to describe physical tension or stress on an object, or it can refer to difficulties and pressure in a mental or emotional context.

• The rope broke under the strain
• He felt strain from his heavy workload

This term is often used to describe a situation where there is a strong force or urgency to do something, often due to external circumstances or demands.

• She felt a lot of pressure to meet the project deadline.
• The pressure from his parents to succeed was intense.

This word is used when referring to a subtle or indirect way of affecting someone's behavior or decisions, often through respect, admiration, or networking.

• His influence in the community was clear through his charitable work.
• The teacher had a positive influence on her students.

Persuasion is typically a gentle and rational method of convincing someone to do or believe something. It is seen as a more positive approach compared to coercion.

• She used persuasion to get everyone on board with the new policy.
• Through careful persuasion, he was able to change her mind about the trip.

Coercion implies a very strong and forceful effort to make someone do something against their will. It often carries a negative connotation as it involves threats or manipulation.

• The company's tactics were seen as coercion to make employees work overtime.
• He confessed under coercion, which made his testimony questionable.

This word is often used when someone is applying influence or force to make someone else do something. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

• She felt a lot of pressure to finish the project by the deadline.
• The company is under pressure to reduce costs.

More informal and can mean encouraging someone to make an effort in a particular direction or to achieve something. It can have a positive or negative connotation depending on the situation.

• He always tries to push me to do my best.
• The advertising campaign is pushing this new product heavily.

This word is usually used when strongly advising or encouraging someone to do something. It is often seen in formal or serious advising contexts and bears a positive connotation.

• Doctors urge patients to quit smoking.
• I urged him to apply for the new job.

This word carries a negative connotation, implying the use of threats, force, or intimidation to make someone do something against their will. It's often used in legal or serious contexts.

• The suspects were coerced into confessing to the crime.
• The regime coerced the citizens into compliance.