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   Pres·sure

   /ˈpreSHər/

   

   noun

   • 1. continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it: "the slight extra pressure he applied to her hand"
   • ▪ the force exerted per unit area: "gas can be fed to the turbines at a pressure of around 250 psi" Similar (physical) forceloadstressthrustcompressioncompressingsqueezingcrushingweightheaviness
   • 2. the use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something: "the many pressures on girls to worry about their looks" Similar coercionforcecompulsionconstraintduressoppressionenforcementinsistencedemandentreatygoadingpesteringprovocationharassmentnaggingharryingbadgeringintimidationarm-twistingpressurizationpersuasioninfluenceinformal:badassery
   • ▪ the influence or effect of someone or something: "oil prices came under some downward pressure"
   • ▪ the feeling of stressful urgency caused by the necessity of doing or achieving something, especially with limited time: "you need to be able to work under pressure and not get flustered" Similar strainstresstensionheatburdenloadweightdraintroublecareadversitydifficultyinformal:hassle

   verb

   • 1. attempt to persuade or coerce (someone) into doing something: "it might now be possible to pressure him into resigning"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin pressura, from press- ‘pressed’, from the verb premere (see press1).

   Scrabble Points: 10

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