stress
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for stress, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A feeling of mental or emotional strain caused by pressure or difficult circumstances.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
How to use stress
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English destresse, via Old French, ultimately from Latin distringere ("to stretch tight"). The psychological sense of mental strain became common in the 20th century, popularized by researchers studying the body's response to pressure.
Full origin of stress →Frequently asked questions
What does “stress” mean?
The word “stress” means a feeling of mental or emotional strain caused by pressure or difficult circumstances. In plain terms, mental or emotional pressure/worry, or (as a verb) to emphasize something or put pressure on someone.
How do you pronounce “stress”?
“Stress” is pronounced STREHS (/stɹɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “stress” in a sentence?
Here is “stress” used in a sentence: “Work stress had been building up for months.”
What is another word for “stress”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stress” include emphasise and emphasize.
What part of speech is “stress”?
Depending on how it is used, “stress” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “stress” come from?
The word “stress” dates back to around 1900 and comes from Latin.
Is “stress” a common word?
“Stress” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “stress” have?
“Stress” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of mental or emotional strain caused by pressure or difficult circumstances.
What is the difference between stress and anxiety?
Stress is usually a reaction to a specific external pressure — a deadline, a bill, an argument — and it often eases once the situation passes. Anxiety is a more persistent sense of worry or dread that can linger even without an obvious trigger. Ongoing stress can feed anxiety, but the two are not the same thing.
Is stress always bad?
No. Short bursts of stress can sharpen focus and drive you to perform, and this useful kind is sometimes called eustress. Problems arise when stress becomes intense or long-lasting, wearing down both mind and body. It is chronic, unrelenting stress, rather than the occasional pressure, that tends to be genuinely harmful.
What are the types of stress?
Stress is often divided by how long it lasts. Acute stress is short-term, triggered by an immediate demand, while chronic stress is ongoing and builds up over time. Some experts also distinguish eustress, the positive kind that motivates, from distress, the negative kind that overwhelms.
Can stress be reduced?
Yes. Common ways to lower stress include regular exercise, good sleep, talking to others, and relaxation techniques such as slow breathing or mindfulness. Managing the source of pressure, through planning or setting boundaries, also helps. If stress feels overwhelming or constant, it is worth speaking to a doctor.