Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun tension

6 senses of tension

Sense 1
tension, tenseness, stress -- ((psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense; "he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension"; "stress is a vasoconstrictor")
       => strain, mental strain, nervous strain -- ((psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress; "his responsibilities were a constant strain"; "the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him")

Sense 2
tension, tensity, tenseness, tautness -- (the physical condition of being stretched or strained; "it places great tension on the leg muscles"; "he could feel the tenseness of her body")
       => condition, status -- (a state at a particular time; "a condition (or state) of disrepair"; "the current status of the arms negotiations")

Sense 3
tension -- (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")
       => balance -- (a state of equilibrium)

Sense 4
tension -- ((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")
       => stress -- ((physics) force that produces strain on a physical body; "the intensity of stress is expressed in units of force divided by units of area")

Sense 5
latent hostility, tension -- (feelings of hostility that are not manifest; "he could sense her latent hostility to him"; "the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions")
       => hostility, enmity, antagonism -- (a state of deep-seated ill-will)

Sense 6
tension -- (the action of stretching something tight; "tension holds the belt in the pulleys")
       => stretching -- (act of expanding by lengthening or widening)