pressured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pressured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a state of being under stress or feeling compelled to act in a certain way due to external demands or expectations. Example: "She felt pressured to meet the tight deadlines set by her manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While some staff members had said they felt pressured to manipulate data, the report said there had been no systematic culture of bullying.

The Guardian

The network demands swift action from human rights organisations around the world in order for the Syrian government to be pressured into releasing Dr Omar and his family" Human rights activist Omar Arnous was arrested with his family in a dawn raid on his flat.

The Guardian

As more tales of student sexism materialise, institutions should be pressured to: Create and publicise clear reporting and referral pathways for students of all genders who experience harassment and violence.

The Guardian

Calil has always strongly denied involvement in the coup plot and claimed Mann was pressured into repeating in court allegations that previously been extracted from him under torture in Zimbabwe.

The Guardian

In response, more than 40 senators, including Hillary Clinton, John McCain and a pre-presidential Barack Obama, pressured the Centres For Disease Control And Prevention CDCC) to investigate; in 2006, it formed a special taskforce, setting aside $1m to study the condition.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Desmond was responding to a question on an issue gaining increasing traction in the industry, which is that broadcasters are being pressured to make the production companies they use to develop TV programmes work with Group M's entertainment division, which looks at ad-funded programming opportunities.

The Guardian

There is no doubt that [Blatter] can be pressured, also because of the affair that has just exploded.

The Guardian

The lawsuit documents seven separate instances in which rookie officers fearing for their jobs were pressured to unlock their phones for investigators or otherwise to give them access to cellphone content, including from group chat application GroupMe.

The Guardian

The scheme is vehemently opposed by Brussels, which has already pressured Bulgaria into not taking part and is currently leaning on Serbia, which is negotiating membership of the EU.

The Guardian

It was launched after the CQC raised serious concerns about staff being pressured to change data to make it seem people were being treated in line with national guidelines.

The Guardian

Ireland is being pressured to do so, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pressured" to convey a sense of external force or stress influencing someone's actions or decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "pressured" when a more neutral term like "encouraged" or "asked" would be more appropriate, as "pressured" implies a significant degree of external force.

Linguistic Context

The word "pressured" primarily functions as a past participle or past tense verb. It describes the state of being subjected to external forces or influence, as seen in Ludwig's examples where staff felt "pressured" to manipulate data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pressured" is a past tense or past participle verb used to describe a state of being influenced or compelled by external forces. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "coerced" or "compelled" exist, "pressured" strikes a balance, implying external influence without necessarily indicating extreme force. When using "pressured", ensure the context is clear about the source of the pressure and the nature of its influence to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coerced

Implies forcing someone against their will, differing in the level of force applied.

forced

Indicates the use of direct power or coercion to make someone act against their will.

compelled

Suggests a strong, sometimes irresistible, internal or external force is acting on someone.

pushed

Implies applying force or influence to make someone move or act, similar but more direct.

influenced

Indicates a more subtle form of persuasion, lacking the direct force implied by "pressured".

persuaded

Involves convincing someone through reasoning or argument, a gentler approach.

urged

Suggests a strong recommendation or encouragement, less forceful than "pressured".

obliged

Suggests a moral or legal duty to do something, differing in the origin of the compulsion.

encouraged

Indicates giving support or confidence, less forceful than being "pressured".

constrained

Implies being restricted or limited in one's actions, differing in the nature of the limitation.

FAQs

How can I use "pressured" in a sentence?

You can use "pressured" to describe someone feeling compelled by external forces, such as "She felt pressured to accept the job offer."

What are some alternatives to saying "pressured"?

Alternatives include "coerced", "compelled", or "influenced", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say someone was "pressured into" doing something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example, "He was pressured into signing the contract."

What's the difference between "pressured" and "persuaded"?

"Pressured" implies a stronger, potentially unwanted influence, while "persuaded" suggests convincing someone through reasoning or argument.