Cool MateTension
UK /["/ˈtenʃn/"]/US /["/ˈtenʃn/"]/
Definition
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
In simple words: The feeling of stress or worry.
Examples
- The tension in the room was palpable before the announcement.
- Muscle tension can cause headaches and discomfort.
- The political tension between the two countries has escalated recently.
- He felt a lot of tension in his shoulders after working long hours.
- The tension in the wire increased as the weight hung from it.
- There was obvious tension among the team members during the meeting.
- The tension on the guitar string affected its sound quality.
- She released tension by doing some deep breathing exercises.
Usage notes
Use 'tension' when talking about stress in situations or relationships. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of 'ten-sion' as if you're tensing up muscles when stressed.
Collocations
- considerable
- great
- high
- cause
- create
- generate
- build up
- grow
- increase
- tension among
- tension between
- tension in
- a source of tension
- considerable
- great
- high
- cause
- create
- generate
- build up
- grow
- increase
- tension among
- tension between
- tension in
- a source of tension
- inner
- emotional
- nervous
- feel
- suffer from
- sense
- headache
- tension in
- a release of tension
- a sign of tension
- dramatic
- build
- heighten
- increase
- build
- grow
- mount
- string
- adjust
- release
- in tension
- under tension
- tension on
Synonyms
- stress
- strain
- anxiety
- pressure
- concern
Antonyms
- calmness
- relaxation
- ease
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'intention'; they sound similar but mean different things.
- Using 'tension' when referring to physical items, like 'tension in a rope', which is less common.
- Mixing 'tense' and 'tension' incorrectly in phrases.