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.

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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.)

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Example Sentences

He previously told BBC Scotland News that such limits could help reduce peer pressure and allow inexperienced drivers to build up life‑saving experience, particularly on rural roads and in difficult conditions.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Many of us were raised to sneer at social influence—instructed to resist peer pressure at all costs—but there’s another term for thinking about all this that’s less off-putting: role modeling.

From Slate • May 15, 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

Luckily for them, Dave did then perform the track - which basically proves that peer pressure does indeed work.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 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