Synonyms & related words for tension

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of tension — including tensity, tenseness, tautness, stress, friction, nervousness. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to tension

Explore words related to tension — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include tensional, tensing, tensive, overstrung, tensile, tensed, taut, antifriction. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for tension

Common synonyms for tension include tensity, tenseness, tautness, stress, friction, nervousness, unease, pressure — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does tension come from?

The word tension breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root tens-, from Latin tendo (“stretch”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.