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   pressure

   /ˈprɛʃə/

   noun

   • 1. continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it: "the gate was buckling under the pressure of the crowd outside"
   • ▪ the force per unit area exerted by a fluid against a surface with which it is in contact: "gas can be fed to the turbines at a pressure of around 250 psi" Similar (physical) forceloadstressthrustcompressioncompressingsqueezingcrushingweightheaviness
   • 2. the use of persuasion or intimidation to make someone do something: "backbenchers put pressure on the government to provide safeguards" Similar coercionforcecompulsionconstraintduressoppressionenforcementinsistencedemandentreatygoadingpesteringprovocationharassmentnaggingharryingbadgeringintimidationarm-twistingpressurizationpersuasioninfluenceinformal:badassery
   • ▪ the influence or effect of someone or something: "oil prices came under some downwards pressure"
   • ▪ a sense of stressful urgency caused by having too many demands on one's time or resources: "he resigned due to pressure of work" Similar strainstresstensionheatburdenloadweightdraintroublecareadversitydifficultyinformal:hassle

   verb

   • 1. attempt to persuade or coerce (someone) into doing something: "it might be possible to pressure him into resigning"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin pressura, from press- ‘pressed’, from the verb premere (see press1).

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • S

     1

   • U

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

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