Stress Meaning and Definition
Stress
Pronunciation
/strɛs/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A state of mental or emotional strain resulting from external pressures or internal conflicts.
Examples
- The constant workload was causing her significant stress.
- He was under a lot of stress due to the impending deadline.
Synonyms
- Press
- Worry
- Tension
Antonyms
- Relaxation
- Calmness
- Peace
Etymology
The word “stress” comes from the Latin “stringere,” meaning “to draw tight” or “to strain.”
Usage Notes
Stress can refer to both physical and mental pressures, and can be used to describe a wide range of situations, from everyday annoyances to traumatic events.
Cultural References
The concept of stress has been explored in many works of fiction, including films like “Clockwatchers” and “Pleasantville” as well as books like “The Bell Curve” and “The Culture of Fear.”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- In a state of stress
- Under stress
- Stressed out
Related Words or Phrases
- Anxiety
- Tension
- Fear
- Apprehension
Collocations
- Stress and burnout
- Stress and anxiety
- Feeling stressed out
Frequency of Use
The word “stress” is commonly used in modern language, with a frequency of approximately 3.5 occurrences per 100,000 words in English language texts.
Common Misspellings
- Stris
- Stresss
- Striss