1
as in worrying
to experience concern or anxiety
the restaurant manager has a tendency to stress about every little thing that goes wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emphasizing
to make more apparent
his bad performance only stressed what I'd been saying all along
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in highlighting
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
the doctor stressed the importance of exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stressing
Rising temperatures increase evaporation, further stressing a watershed already under pressure from growth and development.
—
Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans just dropped, and there’s one particular nugget in the mix that’s already stressing me out as a mom of four young kids.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 8 Jan. 2026
Iwan Morgan, emeritus professor at University College of London’s Institute of the Americas, told CNN that year that Greenland’s cost could hit the trillions, while stressing the immense political and legal complexity of any such deal.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Avoid pruning in spring, summer, or fall to prevent cutting off new flowers and stressing the tree.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Aaron Judge’s commitment to the stars and stripes isn’t stressing out his Yankees manager.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Also, the temperature difference between cold water and hot soil can shock plants, potentially stressing them further.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 4 Jan. 2026
In Europe, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and act responsibly, stressing that international law and the UN Charter must be respected.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 3 Jan. 2026
Oh gosh, why is this stressing me out?
—Julie Jordan, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stressing
Verb
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In Tokyo, travelers can explore the bustling neighborhoods of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku, admire cutting-edge architecture, stroll through peaceful Japanese gardens, and experience vibrant nightlife without worrying about personal safety.—
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Devices stay online without worrying about draining the car’s starter battery.—
Verb
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Middlebrooks echoed those concerns, emphasizing the importance of the services provided by the health system.—
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Experts say there is no clear pattern behind recent shark encounters, emphasizing that the ocean is a dynamic environment where humans enter the natural habitat of marine predators.—
Verb
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Several new state laws affecting education take effect this month, highlighting the rights of immigrant students and the growth of artificial intelligence in schools.—
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This feature from the South Florida Sun Sentinel is part of a series of stories highlighting concerns in Palm Beach County’s Agricultural Reserve, a region where there’s long-standing debate over land preservation and growth.—
Verb
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From that vantage point, the economy appears to move past each disruption in turn, reinforcing the idea that these are temporary events.—
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The projects are expected to provide thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of long-term operational jobs while reinforcing the American nuclear supply chain.—
Verb
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Squeeze Burger plans to continue making their burgers, featuring their signature crispy cheese skirt, out of a food truck.—
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The cookies are similar to my own mom’s recipe, featuring maraschino cherries in both the cookie dough and pink glaze, but with the addition of almond extract.—
Cite this Entry
“Stressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stressing. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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