Words / B2

TENSHUN/ˈtenʃn/

Tension is strain or conflict: political tension; tension between groups; ease the tension. Stress can be personal; conflict is more open. Uncountable in many news uses; tensions (plural) is also common. Do not call a friendly debate tension. Physics also has surface tension — a different field.

Meaning

A feeling of anxiety or conflict between people or groups.

Examples

• “Tension grew between the board and the unions before the ballot.”
• “Talks were meant to ease tensions, which is the plural news form.”

Good to know

tension between; political / racial tension; ease tension(s). Personal: stress. Open fight: conflict. Physics: surface tension. News often uses plural tensions.

New