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.
The stress of our high-pressure careers has left both my wife and me completely miserable.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
Charlisse Leger-Walker feels prepared to take on the Longhorns’ high-pressure defense, thanks to UCLA’s practice players.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026
His high-pressure defense pushed the Huskers to a 26-6 record.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
He presented the vast military buildup in the Persian Gulf as a high-pressure negotiating tactic in the short-lived bargaining sessions over Iran’s nuclear enrichment.
From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026
You know how sometimes, when you have a high-pressure decision to make, you feel like everybody is looking at you?
From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
