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
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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.
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When signing him, Real Madrid regarded him as one of the most versatile defenders in the world and one who could influence games through his passing range, crossing ability and experience in managing high-pressure moments.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
All told, swapping out a normal ramp-up spring training period for high-pressure baseball kept him away from the Mariners for three weeks during the tournament.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
"No one saw anything. The only alert we received was for a high-pressure tank," one said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026
Trying to solve Belgium was more difficult than solving Paraguay and the high-pressure, must-win situation of an elimination game against the No. 8 team in the world — and it clearly unsettled the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
But there was an alternative to constructing some sort of high-pressure mechanism.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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
The method generates carbon-free power by injecting a flow of cold, high-pressured water into rock, where it is heated up and then travels through pipes back above ground.
From Scientific American ● Feb. 14, 2023
Lavin added that Johnson brought an authentic lightheartedness to a high-pressured environment where winning was expected.
From New York Times ● Nov. 18, 2021
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?
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
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
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
With a flop, veterans like Maney don't try pleading or high-pressuring.
From Time Magazine Archive
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.
