tension
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for tension, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A feeling of unease, stress, or unresolved conflict between people.
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 tension
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin tensio, from tendere ("to stretch"), borrowed into English via Middle French tension.
Full origin of tension →Frequently asked questions
What does “tension” mean?
The word “tension” means a feeling of unease, stress, or unresolved conflict between people. In plain terms, either emotional strain between people, or a physical stretching force.
How do you pronounce “tension”?
“Tension” is pronounced TEHNSHN (/ˈtɛnʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “tension” in a sentence?
Here is “tension” used in a sentence: “There was noticeable tension between the two departments after the merger.”
What part of speech is “tension”?
“Tension” is a noun.
Where does the word “tension” come from?
The word “tension” comes from Latin. From Latin tensio, from tendere ("to stretch"), borrowed into English via Middle French tension.
Is “tension” a common word?
“Tension” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “tension” have?
“Tension” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of unease, stress, or unresolved conflict between people.
What is the difference between 'tension' and 'stress'?
Emotionally, 'tension' describes a feeling of unease or unresolved conflict, often between people, whereas 'stress' is the strain a person feels under pressure. Physically, 'tension' is specifically the pulling force in something stretched tight, while 'stress' is a more general term for internal force within a material.
What is the difference between 'tension' and 'compression'?
In the physical sense, 'tension' is the pulling force that stretches something tight, like a rope or cable being pulled from both ends. 'Compression' is the opposite: a pushing or squeezing force that shortens or presses a material together.
What words commonly go with 'tension'?
In the emotional sense, 'tension' often appears in phrases like 'rising tension', 'ease the tension', and 'tension between them'. In the physical sense, it pairs with words such as 'tension in the cable' or 'high tension', referring to a tight pulling force.
Is 'tension' a countable or uncountable noun?
'Tension' is usually uncountable when describing a general mood, as in 'there was tension in the room'. It can be countable when referring to distinct strains or conflicts, as in 'the tensions between the two groups grew'.