peer pressure

American  

[peer presh-er] / ˈpɪər ˈprɛʃ ər /

noun

1. social pressure by members of one's peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted.

---

peer pressure Cultural  

1. The social influence a peer group exerts on its individual members, as each member attempts to conform to the expectations of the group. (See conformity.)

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peer pressure

The groups said these features exploit children's "developmental vulnerabilities", particularly around impulse control and peer pressure.

From BBC ● May 20, 2026

Excessive laughter, he noted, can come from a feeling of superiority, nervousness in uncomfortable moments or peer pressure when others are laughing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

"It's some form of peer pressure," 24-year-old Haskell Austin tells the BBC.

From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026

"There is peer pressure, because they've seen what their friends did. There is the expectation that has been planted with an affluent lifestyle. And there is the idea of showing effort," he said.

From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026

This story is about a school experiment that shows how peer pressure can get out of hand.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers