peer pressure
3 synonyms for peer pressure, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The influence that people of your own age or social group exert on you to behave, dress or think as they do.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
group pressure
social pressure
How to use peer pressure
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
succumb to peer pressure
under peer pressure
negative peer pressure
positive peer pressure
resist peer pressure
Neutral and very common, though usually negative unless marked as positive peer pressure.
Etymology
A compound of peer, meaning an equal or someone of the same age or standing, and pressure.
Full origin of peer pressure →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between peer pressure and bullying?
Bullying is deliberate, repeated and aimed at hurting or intimidating a specific person. Peer pressure is usually indirect and often unintentional: nobody has to threaten you for the desire to fit in to change your behaviour.
What is positive peer pressure?
It is when the influence of a group pushes you towards something beneficial, such as friends who study hard, train regularly or stay off alcohol. The mechanism is identical to negative peer pressure; only the direction of the behaviour differs.
Does peer pressure only affect teenagers?
No. Teenagers are especially sensitive to it because peer approval matters more during adolescence, but adults experience it too, in workplace culture, spending habits and social drinking.
