high-pressure
Americanadjective
-
having or involving a pressure above the normal.
high-pressure steam.
-
vigorous; persistent; aggressive.
high-pressure salesmanship.
verb (used with object)
adjective
-
having, using, involving, or designed to withstand a pressure above normal pressure
a high-pressure gas
a high-pressure cylinder
-
informal (of selling) persuasive in an aggressive and persistent manner
Etymology
Origin of high-pressure
First recorded in 1815–25
Compare meaning
How does high-pressure compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Through high-pressure experiments and advanced computer simulations, researchers found that magma can absorb additional oxygen beyond the amount normally required by its chemical composition.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026
Musk said the car was equipped with 10 nozzles and "ultra high-pressure air tanks" to propel itself into the air and accelerate quickly on the ground.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
These high-pressure winds feed into the subtropical jet stream, giving an extra boost that propels it further east over North America, causing it to blow stronger and steadier.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
Its major components, including reactor vessel heads, steam generator parts and low-pressure and high-pressure turbines, were all recently updated as part of the 2030 extension, said Maureen Zawalick, chief risk officer at PG&E.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
That April he was taken off high-pressure code breaking and discharged from active duty in the Army.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
And that’s a very hard thing to do in those high-pressured situations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2025
As a result, LNG terminals have largely relied on the Haynesville Shale, a deep, high-pressured rock formation that spans East Texas and Louisiana, for their fuel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025
Former Love Islanders Olivia and Alex Bowen, who were runners-up in the second series of the ITV2 show, explain to the BBC what being in a high-pressured and highly controlled environment was really like.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2024
Developers first drill a well and inject high-pressured water to crack up underground rock.
From Scientific American ● Feb. 14, 2023
Oil is forced under pressure to all bearings by means of high-pressured duplex-geared pumps.
From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Victor Wilfred Pag?
This year, while William Reynolds' bay filly Mary Reynolds was winning several preliminary races on the Grand Circuit, a publicity agent was high-pressuring newspaper interest in trotting racing.
From Time Magazine Archive
It was a big victory for U.S. aircraft makers over the British, who have been high-pressuring Lufthansa to buy Comet III jets.
From Time Magazine Archive
When it makes with the feet, Beat the Band is enjoyable, but the general effect of the show is one of high-pressuring rather than high spirits.
From Time Magazine Archive
He scorns the usual props: high-pressuring, dancing attendance on people, buttering his employers.
From Time Magazine Archive
With a flop, veterans like Maney don't try pleading or high-pressuring.
From Time Magazine Archive
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