Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
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Tension
The state of being stretched tight; a mental or emotional strain; or a situation characterized by opposing forces or suspense.
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Imagine This
Imagine a tightrope walker high above the crowd. The rope is taut, and a gust of wind increases the tension in the cord, threatening to throw the performer off balance.
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Sounds Like
TEN-shun
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Looks Like
Similar to other -sion words such as attention, extension; visually resembles words ending in -sion
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Remember This
In physics, tension is the pulling force transmitted along a string, rope, or cable when it is stretched. The standard unit of force is the Newton.
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Other Forms
tensionsnoun
tensileadjective
tensionedadjective
tensioningverb
tensionaladjective
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Connect With
strain, stress, pressure, pull, suspense, conflict, extension
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Note
Tension describes a pull along a line (not a general stress). It differs from 'tense' (anxious) and from 'tensile' (relating to tension). Beware that 'tension' can refer to emotional strain as well as physical pull.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The rope was under great tension as the weight was lifted.
- There was growing tension between the two rival teams over the scoring rules.
Synonyms
strainstresspressuretightnesssuspense
Antonyms
relaxationeasecalm
Etymology
From Latin tensio, from tendere 'to stretch'
Mnemonic
Picture a rubber band being pulled by ten people—the more they pull, the greater the tension. This vivid image helps connect the idea of pulling forces with the word tension.
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Raucous
adjectiveMaking or constituting a loud, harsh, and boisterous noise; unruly and disruptive.
Mollify
verbTo calm or soothe, especially by appeasing or softening someone's anger or emotions; to make something less severe or painful.
Impassioned
adjectiveFilled with or showing intense emotion or passion; fervently expressed.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
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