tension
noun OPAL W
/ˈtenʃn/
/ˈtenʃn/
- [uncountable, countable, usually plural] a situation in which people do not trust each other, or feel unfriendly towards each other, and that may cause them to attack each other
- There is mounting tension along the border.
- international/racial/political tensions
- Family tensions and conflicts may lead to violence.
- tension between A and B The incident has further increased tension between the two countries.
Extra ExamplesTopics Social issuesb2- In the early 1960's, new tensions arose between the United States and the USSR.
- Money was always a source of tension between her parents.
- More police have been sent to areas of high political tension.
- Racial tensions in the town were running high.
- She often used humour to defuse tension in meetings.
- The job losses caused greater tensions within the company.
- tension between local youths and the police
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- high
- …
- cause
- create
- generate
- …
- build up
- grow
- increase
- …
- tension among
- tension between
- tension in
- …
- a source of tension
- [countable, uncountable] tension (between A and B) a situation in which the fact that there are different needs or interests causes difficulties
- There is often a tension between the aims of the company and the wishes of the employees.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- high
- …
- cause
- create
- generate
- …
- build up
- grow
- increase
- …
- tension among
- tension between
- tension in
- …
- a source of tension
- [uncountable] a feeling of worry and stress that makes it impossible to relax
- nervous tension
- We laughed and that helped ease the tension.
- Walking and swimming are excellent for releasing tension.
- a tension headache
Synonyms pressurepressure- stress
- tension
- strain
- pressure difficulties and feelings of worry that are caused by the need to achieve something or to behave in a particular way:
- She was unable to attend because of the pressures of work.
- stress pressure or worry caused by the problems in somebody’s life:
- stress-related illnesses
- tension a feeling of worry and stress that makes it impossible to relax:
- nervous tension
- strain pressure on somebody/something because they have too much to do or manage; the problems or worry that this produces:
- I found it a strain looking after four children.
- to be under pressure/stress/strain
- considerable pressure/stress/tension/strain
- to cause stress/tension/strain
- to cope with the pressure/stress/tension/strain
- to relieve/release the pressure/stress/tension/strain
- to be suffering from stress/tension
Extra Examples- He suffers from nervous tension.
- Horses are very sensitive to signs of tension in humans.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- inner
- emotional
- nervous
- …
- feel
- suffer from
- sense
- …
- headache
- tension in
- a release of tension
- a sign of tension
- [uncountable] the feeling of fear and excitement that is created by a writer or a film director
- dramatic tension
- As the movie progresses the tension builds.
Wordfinder- dialogue
- ending
- flashback
- plot
- narrate
- scenario
- scene
- storyline
- tension
- twist
Extra ExamplesTopics Film and theatreb2, Literature and writingb2- Tension builds around the mystery of what will happen to Freddie.
- The tension among the audience was palpable.
- the use of editing to heighten the tension
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- dramatic
- build
- heighten
- increase
- …
- build
- grow
- mount
- …
- [uncountable] the state of being stretched tight; the extent to which something is stretched tight
- muscular tension
- Adjust the string tension of your tennis racket to suit your style of playing.
- When knitting, try to keep the same tension throughout.
- Massage can relieve tension in your shoulders and back.
Extra Examples- The sudden tension on the line told me I had hooked a fish.
- The metal is weak in tension.
- Stay clear of cables which are under tension.
- The hot bath eased the tension in his body.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- string
- adjust
- release
- in tension
- under tension
- tension on
- …
Word Originmid 16th cent. (as a medical term denoting a condition or feeling of being physically stretched or strained): from French, or from Latin tensio(n-), from tendere ‘stretch’.