tension

noun

OPAL W

/ˈtenʃn/

[uncountable, countable, usually plural] a situation in which people do not trust each other, or feel unfriendly towards each other, and that may cause them to attack each other紧张局势（或关系、状况）
- There is mounting tension along the border.边境局势日趋紧张。
- international/racial/political tensions国际紧张局势；种族间的紧张关系；政治上的紧张状况
- Family tensions and conflicts may lead to violence.家庭关系紧张和矛盾会导致暴力行为。
- tension between A and B The incident has further increased tension between the two countries.这一事件进一步加剧了两国之间的紧张局势。
- In the early 1960's, new tensions arose between the United States and the USSR.20 世纪 60 年代初，美国和苏联之间出现了新的紧张关系。
- Money was always a source of tension between her parents.金钱始终是造成她父母关系紧张的根源。
- More police have been sent to areas of high political tension.政治局势高度紧张的地区增派了警力。
- Racial tensions in the town were running high.镇子里种族关系高度紧张。
- She often used humour to defuse tension in meetings.她经常用幽默来缓和会议上的紧张气氛。
- The job losses caused greater tensions within the company.人员裁减在公司内部造成了更强烈的紧张关系。
- tension between local youths and the police当地青年和警察之间的紧张关系
Topics Social issuesb2
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- considerable
- great
- high
- …
verb + tension
- cause
- create
- generate
- …
tension + verb
- build up
- grow
- increase
- …
preposition
- tension among
- tension between
- tension in
- …
phrases
- a source of tension
[countable, uncountable] tension (between A and B) a situation in which the fact that there are different needs or interests causes difficulties矛盾；对立
- There is often a tension between the aims of the company and the wishes of the employees.公司的目标和雇员的愿望之间经常存在矛盾。
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- considerable
- great
- high
- …
verb + tension
- cause
- create
- generate
- …
tension + verb
- build up
- grow
- increase
- …
preposition
- tension among
- tension between
- tension in
- …
phrases
- a source of tension
[uncountable] a feeling of worry and stress that makes it impossible to relax（情绪上的）紧张，烦躁
- nervous tension神经紧张
- We laughed and that helped ease the tension.我们笑了，因而紧张的情绪得以缓和下来。
- Walking and swimming are excellent for releasing tension.散步和游泳是释放紧张的绝佳方式。
- a tension headache紧张性头痛
Synonyms pressure
pressure
- stress
- tension
- strain
These are all words for the feelings of worry caused by the problems in somebody’s life.
- pressure difficulties and feelings of worry that are caused by the need to achieve something or to behave in a particular way:
  She was unable to attend because of the pressures of work.由于工作紧张，她不能出席。
- stress pressure or worry caused by the problems in somebody’s life:
  stress-related illnesses与精神压力有关的疾病
pressure or stress?用 pressure 还是 stress？It is common to say that somebody is suffering from stress, while pressure may be the thing that causes stress.
- tension a feeling of worry and stress that makes it impossible to relax:
  nervous tension神经紧张
- strain pressure on somebody/something because they have too much to do or manage; the problems or worry that this produces:
  I found it a strain looking after four children.我觉得照料四个孩子挺累的。
Patterns
- to be under pressure/stress/strain
- considerable pressure/stress/tension/strain
- to cause stress/tension/strain
- to cope with the pressure/stress/tension/strain
- to relieve/release the pressure/stress/tension/strain
- to be suffering from stress/tension
- He suffers from nervous tension.他饱受神经紧张之苦。
- Horses are very sensitive to signs of tension in humans.马对人类流露出的紧张情绪非常敏感。
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- inner
- emotional
- nervous
- …
verb + tension
- feel
- suffer from
- sense
- …
tension + noun
- headache
preposition
- tension in
phrases
- a release of tension
- a sign of tension
[uncountable] the feeling of fear and excitement that is created by a writer or a film director（作家或电影导演制造的）紧张气氛
- dramatic tension扣人心弦的紧张气氛
- As the movie progresses the tension builds.随着电影剧情的发展，气氛越来越紧张。
Wordfinder
- dialogue
- ending
- flashback
- plot
- narrate
- scenario
- scene
- storyline
- tension
- twist
- Tension builds around the mystery of what will happen to Freddie.弗雷迪会发生什么事显得神秘莫测，气氛愈发紧张。
- The tension among the audience was palpable.观众中的紧张气氛显而易见。
- the use of editing to heighten the tension通过编辑提高张力
Topics Film and theatreb2, Literature and writingb2
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- dramatic
verb + tension
- build
- heighten
- increase
- …
tension + verb
- build
- grow
- mount
- …
[uncountable] the state of being stretched tight; the extent to which something is stretched tight拉伸；张力；拉紧状态；绷紧程度
- muscular tension肌肉绷紧
- Adjust the string tension of your tennis racket to suit your style of playing.调节网球拍的网张力，以配合你的打法。
- When knitting, try to keep the same tension throughout.编织时，始终保持相同的张力。
- Massage can relieve tension in your shoulders and back.按摩可以缓解肩部和背部的紧张。
see also surface tension
- The sudden tension on the line told me I had hooked a fish.钓线突然绷紧告诉我鱼上钩了。
- The metal is weak in tension.这种金属张力很差。
- Stay clear of cables which are under tension.远离绷紧的缆绳。
- The hot bath eased the tension in his body.洗个热水澡缓解了他身体的紧张。
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- string
verb + tension
- adjust
- release
preposition
- in tension
- under tension
- tension on
- …

词源mid 16th cent. (as a medical term denoting a condition or feeling of being physically stretched or strained): from French, or from Latin tensio(n-), from tendere ‘stretch’.