tension

Bridgezipf 4.22

Pronunciation

/ˈtɛnʃən/(TEN-shun)

Part of speech

nounneutral

Chinese

紧张；张力；冲突（由对立力量产生的精神或情感紧张；或物理上的拉力）

Definition

The feeling of worry and anxiety; a strained relationship between groups or people; the force of pulling tightly.

Word family

  • tense/tɛns/(adj)紧张的 / (n) 时态
  • tense/tɛns/(v)使绷紧
  • tensile/ˈtɛnsaɪl/(adj)张力的；可拉伸的

Collocations

  • underlying tension
  • create tension
  • ease tension
  • racial tension
  • political tension
  • tension between
  • inherent tension
  • surface tension

Examples

  1. 1.There is an underlying tension between the need for short-term results and long-term sustainability.
  2. 2.Diplomatic efforts are focused on easing tensions along the disputed border before they escalate.

Synonyms

  • strain/streɪn/— pressure; stress
  • friction/ˈfrɪkʃən/— conflict between people or things
  • stress/strɛs/— mental or emotional pressure

Etymology

from Latin "tensio" = a stretching, from "tendere" (to stretch)