stressed
9 synonyms and 1 antonyms for stressed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Feeling mental or emotional strain.
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.
Antonyms
How to use stressed
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “stressed” mean?
The word “stressed” means feeling mental or emotional strain. In plain terms, feeling under pressure, or (in language) a syllable spoken with extra emphasis.
How do you pronounce “stressed”?
“Stressed” is pronounced strehst (/stɹɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “stressed” in a sentence?
Here is “stressed” used in a sentence: “She's been stressed about the exam all week.”
What is another word for “stressed”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stressed” include harassed, harried and tried.
What is the opposite of “stressed”?
The opposite of “stressed” — its antonyms — is unstressed.
What part of speech is “stressed”?
“Stressed” is an adjective.
Is “stressed” a common word?
“Stressed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “stressed” have?
“Stressed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: feeling mental or emotional strain.
What is the difference between "stressed" and "anxious"?
"Stressed" describes feeling mental or emotional strain, usually from pressure, demands, or having too much to handle. "Anxious" describes worry or unease about something uncertain, so stress often comes from a present load while anxiety comes from apprehension about what may happen.
What is the difference between "stressed" and "stressed out"?
"Stressed" and "stressed out" both mean feeling strain, but "stressed out" is more informal and emphasises being overwhelmed. "Stressed out" is common in casual speech, while "stressed" suits both everyday and more neutral contexts.
What is the difference between "stressed" and "strained"?
"Stressed" usually refers to a person feeling mental or emotional pressure. "Strained" more often describes something stretched or under physical or relational tension, as in a strained muscle or strained relations.