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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.

Jefferies cuts Nickel Industries to hold from buy, and lowers its price target by 17% to A$1.00/share, citing increasing geopolitical headwinds and higher sulfur prices reducing profit margins of its high-pressure acid leach operations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

The heatwave is a result of a so-called "heat dome", external - the warm air from northern Africa trapped under a high-pressure system over western Europe.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

A so-called "heat dome" of warm air from northern Africa trapped under a high-pressure system over western Europe is behind the high temperatures not usually seen until high summer.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

The low-pressure system that brought scattered showers and cooler temperatures has moved into Mexico while a high-pressure system has been building up behind it, according to the National Weather Service.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 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

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