tension
Pull between opposites
Tension is the state of being stretched tight, whether physically or mentally.
A rope under tension is pulled taut.
Muscle tension causes soreness.
Psychological tension is stress or anxiety: The tension was unbearable.
Between people or groups, tension suggests strained relations and potential conflict: ethnic tensions, sexual tension.
In storytelling, tension keeps audiences engaged by creating uncertainty about outcomes.
Pressure, mental or vocal
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- pressureForce upon contact
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- strainExcessive stretching force
unease · apprehension · worry · agitation · edginess · restlessness · dread · overwhelm
State of being pulled firm
- pullForce toward oneself
- strainExcessive stretching force
- loadCarried weight or burden
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
elasticity · spring · torque · cable · wire · guy-wire · bowstring · pulley
State of being constricted
- tautnessState of being pulled firm
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- rigidityState of being unbending
- contractionReduction in size
pull · strain · clenching · soreness · knots · cramping · spasm · bracing
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- cliffhangerSuspenseful unresolved ending
foreshadowing · stakes · uncertainty · drama · intrigue · pacing · escalation · turning point
Verbal clash over differences
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
discord · rivalry · feud · confrontation · strife · clash · standoff · opposition
Electrical potential difference
- potentialLatent capacity for development
- power lineWire carrying electricity
- transformerVoltage-altering electrical device
- currentDirected flow of charge
arc · spark · insulation · transmission · overhead lines · electrical grid · volt · kilovolt
stress
Pressure, mental or vocal
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- pressureForce upon contact
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
strain · unease · apprehension · worry · agitation · edginess · restlessness · dread · overwhelm · burnout
tautness
State of being pulled firm
stress · elasticity · spring · torque · cable · wire · guy-wire · bowstring · pulley · winch
tightness
State of being constricted
- tautnessState of being pulled firm
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- rigidityState of being unbending
contraction · pull · strain · clenching · soreness · knots · cramping · spasm · bracing · gripping
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
cliffhanger · foreshadowing · stakes · uncertainty · drama · intrigue · pacing · escalation · turning point · payoff
dispute
Verbal clash over differences
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
antagonism · discord · rivalry · feud · confrontation · strife · clash · standoff · opposition · resentment
voltage
Electrical potential difference
- potentialLatent capacity for development
- power lineWire carrying electricity
- transformerVoltage-altering electrical device
current · arc · spark · insulation · transmission · overhead lines · electrical grid · volt · kilovolt
gauge
Standard of measurement
warp · weft · sewing machine · knitting · crochet · selvage · feed · take-up
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- feelingsemotion, feeling, pleasure, joy, anger
- stressstress, chronic stress, acute stress, strain, stressor
- body discomfortsitching, burning, stinging, aching, throbbing
- Body Sensationsfatigue, headache, pain, numbness, tremors
- causes of damagestress, trauma, pollution, neglect, abuse
tensionrelaxation
State of being unwound
calmness · calm · tranquility · peace · serenity
- high tensionElevated electrical potential
- romantic tensionUnresolved mutual attraction
- sexual tensionUnresolved erotic anticipation
- emotional tensionPsychological pressure from feelings
- tension headachePain from muscle tightness
- surface tensionCohesive force at liquid interfaces
intensity, intensify, intensive, tension wrench, tensions, tensing, pretension, intensively, intensities