Tension: meaning, definitions and examples

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tension

[ˈtɛnʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

A feeling of nervousness or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

Synonyms

anxiety, pressure, stress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tension	Used when there is a feeling of strain, especially between people or groups. Usually refers to uncomfortable atmosphere. There was tension in the room after the argument. The political tension between the two countries is growing.
stress	Describes a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from demanding circumstances. It can refer to both long-term and short-term situations. She is under a lot of stress at work. Exercise is a good way to relieve stress.
anxiety	Refers to a feeling of worry or fear, especially about a potential event or situation. Often associated with a sense of unease or nervousness. She felt anxiety before her job interview. His anxiety kept him up all night.
pressure	Used when someone feels a burden or force to perform or make decisions, often from external sources like work or social expectations. He feels a lot of pressure to meet the deadline. The pressure of exams is getting to her.

Examples of usage

I could feel the tension in the room as we waited for the results.
The tension between the two rival teams was palpable.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

force

The state of being stretched tight.

Synonyms

strain, tautness, tightness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tension	Used to describe a situation with high emotional intensity or pressure; can also be used to describe the physical state of being stretched tight. There was a lot of tension in the room before the test results were announced. The tension in the rope was too high, making it likely to snap.
tightness	Refers to the state of being closely packed or held together; can describe physical sensations or spaces. She complained of a feeling of tightness in her chest. The tightness of the schedule left them with no time to relax.
tautness	Describes the state of being tightly drawn or the absence of slack; typically used in discussing physical objects. The tautness of the sail helped the boat move swiftly. He checked the tautness of the strings on his guitar before playing.
strain	Often refers to stress and pressure, both emotional and physical, leading to fatigue or damage. She felt a strain in her eyes after hours of working at the computer. The relationship between the two countries is under severe strain.

Examples of usage

The tension in the rope was so strong that it began to fray.
The tension in the spring caused it to recoil with force.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

relationship

A strained relationship between individuals or groups.

Synonyms

conflict, friction, hostility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tension	Use this when describing a situation where there is a feeling of nervousness, stress, or strain between people or in a situation. It does not necessarily involve open fighting, but you can feel the unease. There was a lot of tension in the room after the argument The tension between the two groups was palpable
conflict	This word is best used when referring to a serious disagreement or argument between people, groups, or countries, often leading to action or a struggle rather than just stress. The conflict between the two countries lasted for many years Their conflicting views on the project caused many heated discussions
friction	Use this term to describe minor, but persistent disagreements or clashes between people. It suggests repeated, small conflicts that cause discontent but not necessarily serious arguments. There was some friction between the new manager and the team Friction developed over different work habits and schedules
hostility	This word is used to indicate active dislike, anger, or opposition towards someone or something. It often involves open actions of aggression or animosity. The hostility between the neighbors escalated into a shouting match Hostility towards the new policy was evident in the protest

Examples of usage

There was tension between the neighbors due to a property dispute.
The tension between the coworkers was affecting the team's performance.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'tensio,' meaning 'to stretch or strain,' highlighting the idea of pulling force.
It has been used in English since the late 14th century to describe both physical and emotional strain.

Psychology

High emotional tension can lead to stress, influencing mental health and well-being.
Tension can be a motivator; it often helps people push through challenges and achieve goals.

Science

In physics, tension refers to the force transmitted through a string, rope, or wire when it's pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends.
Tension in fluids is responsible for phenomena such as water droplets forming beads on a surface due to surface tension.

Pop Culture

Tension is a key element in storytelling; movies often build tension to keep audiences engaged until the climax.
In music, tension can create emotional impact, with composers using dissonance to evoke feelings of unease before resolving to harmony.

Literature

Many literary works explore the theme of tension between characters, driving conflict and character development.
The concept of tension is crucial in poetry, particularly in creating rhyme and rhythm that captures the reader's attention.

Translations

Translations of the word "tension" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tensão

🇮🇳 तनाव (tanav)

🇩🇪 Spannung

🇮🇩 ketegangan

🇺🇦 напруження

🇵🇱 napięcie

🇯🇵 緊張 (kinchou)

🇫🇷 tension

🇪🇸 tensión

🇹🇷 gerginlik

🇰🇷 긴장 (ginjang)

🇸🇦 توتر (tawattur)

🇨🇿 napětí

🇸🇰 napätie

🇨🇳 紧张 (jǐnzhāng)

🇸🇮 napetost

🇮🇸 spenna

🇰🇿 шиеленіс (shielenis)

🇬🇪 მომატებული (momatebuli)

🇦🇿 gərginlik

🇲🇽 tensión

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,862, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2860 pound
2861 gathered
2862 tension
2863 integration
2864 mistake
2865 furnish
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