pressure

Force pressing against a surface, or the amount of that force over an area.

• Apply pressure to the wound.
• The water pressure is too low.
• The nurse checked my blood pressure.

How to use it: pressure on something (The weight puts pressure on the joint.)

Common phrases: air pressure, blood pressure, apply pressure, pressure on something

Worry or stress caused by difficult demands or responsibilities.

• I am under a lot of pressure.
• Exams put extra pressure on students.
• She works well under pressure.

How to use it: under pressure (He felt under pressure at work.)

Similar words: stress, strain

Common phrases: under pressure, work pressure, constant pressure

A force or influence that limits choices or pushes someone towards an action.

• Economic pressure forced the shop to close.
• The government faced pressure from business groups.
• Social pressures can shape our choices.

How to use it: pressure from someone/something (The company faced pressure from its competitors.); pressure on someone/something (There is growing pressure on the council to act.)

Similar words: influence

Common phrases: economic pressure, social pressure, pressure from someone

The need to deal with tasks quickly because there is little time.

• Time pressure led to mistakes.
• The pressure of business left little time for lunch.
• She postponed the visit because of the pressure of work.

How to use it: pressure of something (The pressure of daily work prevented a longer discussion.)

Similar words: urgency

Common phrases: pressure of business, pressure of work, time pressure

To try strongly to make someone do something, especially when they do not want to.

• Do not pressure me.
• His friends pressured him into drinking.
• The company pressured workers to accept lower pay.

How to use it: pressure someone into doing something (They pressured her into signing the contract.); pressure someone to do something (His parents pressured him to study law.)

Similar words: push, press

Common phrases: pressure someone, pressure someone into something, pressure someone to agree, pressure someone to act