Tension (Noun)
Meaning 1
The physical condition of being stretched or strained; "it places great tension on the leg muscles"; "he could feel the tenseness of her body".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
A balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature); "there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time"; "there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The novelist's use of conflicting dialogue and introspection creates a tension between the characters' inner lives and outward actions.
- The film's tension between visual beauty and thematic darkness keeps the audience on edge and emotionally invested.
- There is a palpable tension between the calm, idyllic setting and the sense of foreboding that permeates the novel's narrative.
- The artist's work is characterized by a tension between abstraction and representation, making it both challenging and thought-provoking.
- The poem's use of contradictory imagery creates a tension between the speaker's idealized past and harsh reality, adding depth and complexity to the emotions expressed.
Meaning 3
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense; "he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension"; "stress is a vasoconstrictor".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
(physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body; "the direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Related Words
Meaning 5
The action of stretching something tight; "tension holds the belt in the pulleys".
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Related Words
Meaning 6
Feelings of hostility that are not manifest; "he could sense her latent hostility to him"; "the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.