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Synonyms

high-pressure

American  
[hahy-presh-er] / ˈhaɪˈprɛʃ ər /

adjective

  1. having or involving a pressure above the normal.

    high-pressure steam.

  2. vigorous; persistent; aggressive.

    high-pressure salesmanship.

verb (used with object)

high-pressured, high-pressuring

  1. to employ aggressively forceful and unrelenting sales tactics on (a prospective customer).

    high-pressured into buying a car.
high-pressure British  

adjective

  1. having, using, involving, or designed to withstand a pressure above normal pressure

    a high-pressure gas

    a high-pressure cylinder

  2. informal (of selling) persuasive in an aggressive and persistent manner

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Nickel and cobalt processing are also seeing higher costs because sulfur is used in high-pressure acid leaching.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

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

Also, the probe's large, flat-panel hull is ideal for the high-pressure Venusian atmosphere.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

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.