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   stress

   /strɛs/

   noun

   • 1. pressure or tension exerted on a material object: "the distribution of stress is uniform across the bar" Similar pressuretensionstraintightnesstautnessrare:tensity
   • ▪ the degree of stress measured in units of force per unit area.
   • 2. a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances: "he's obviously under a lot of stress" Similar strainpressuretensionnervous tensionworryanxietynervousnesstroubledifficultydistresstraumasufferingpaingriefinformal:hassleOpposite relaxation
   • ▪ something that causes a state of strain or tension: "the stresses and strains of public life"
   • ▪ physiological disturbance or damage caused to an organism by adverse circumstances: "in many areas irrigation is warranted to avoid plant stress"
   • 3. particular emphasis or importance: "we should lay greater stress on education" Similar emphasisimportanceweightforceinsistenceweightage
   • ▪ emphasis given to a particular syllable or word in speech, typically through a combination of relatively greater loudness, higher pitch, and longer duration: "normally, the stress falls on the first syllable" Similar emphasisaccentaccentuationbeatictus

   verb

   • 1. give particular emphasis or importance to (a point, statement, or idea) made in speech or writing: "they stressed the need for reform" Similar emphasizedraw attention tofocus attention onunderlineunderscorepoint upplace emphasis onlay stress onhighlightspotlightturn the spotlight onbring to the foreforegroundaccentuatepress homeimpress on someonemake a point ofdwell onharp onbelabourinsist onrub inOpposite play downunderstate
   • ▪ give emphasis to (a syllable or word) when pronouncing it: "in French, the last syllable is usually stressed" Similar place the emphasis ongive emphasis toemphasizeplace the accent on
   • 2. subject to pressure or tension: "this type of workout does stress the shoulder and knee joints"
   • 3. cause mental or emotional strain or tension in: "I avoid many of the things that used to stress me before" Similar overstretchovertaxpush to the limitpressurizepressureburdenmake tensecause to feel mental/emotional strainworryupsetdistressharassinformal:hassle
   • ▪ become tense or anxious; worry: informal "don't stress—there's plenty of time to get a grip on the situation"

   Word Origin Middle English (denoting hardship or force exerted on a person for the purpose of compulsion): shortening of distress, or partly from Old French estresse ‘narrowness, oppression’, based on Latin strictus ‘drawn tight’ (see strict).

   Derivatives

   • 1. stressless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • S

     1

   • T

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • S

     1

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