stressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that describes a feeling of intense pressure or worry. You can use it when describing a person's mental state, a particular situation, or a feeling associated with a certain event. Example: The student was feeling extremely stressed before their final exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

George Cukor, the second of four directors on the picture, got rid of the blonde wig and doll's makeup that Garland had been given, presumably to imitate Temple, and stressed the character's naturalness, a quality the younger star often lacked.

The Guardian - Film

Related: Boom and dust: uncertain future for the mining town run by Rio Tinto "There were so many emotions and mostly it boiled down to feeling stressed, and the obvious place to come was the practice," Chalmers tells Guardian Australia.

The Guardian

He stressed that the UK currently meets the Nato target, but said that spending levels after 2016 would be determined by a spending review.

The Guardian

The terror group stressed in a series of written answers to the Guardian's questions that future attacks would alternate between the "military, political and economic targets".

The Guardian

Aides stressed that Clegg's comments to Schmidt, made during a regular meeting of the PM's business advisory group, should not be seen as a dressing down.

The Guardian - Business

Although universities would be free to weight marks how they wished and also decide on whether to include marks for first-year students, the report stressed the importance of establishing a universal approach to GPA.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, China has expressed regret over Annan's resignation and stressed support for the UN playing an important role in resolving the Syrian crisis.

The Guardian

Mexico City officials have said they will study ways to regulate the app, but also stressed that regular, medallion cabs should bring themselves up to date and use apps as well.

The Guardian - Tech

In a letter sent to more than 1,000 Islamic leaders (pdf), Pickles stressed that he was proud of the way Muslims in Britain had responded to the Paris terror attacks, but added that there was "more work to do" in rooting out extremists and preventing young people being radicalised.

The Guardian

A surprisingly tense and nervous Mr Blair has stressed time and again that he believed Saddam should be removed "if there was any possibility" that he had WMD.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Dmitry Kiselyov, the Russian state television presenter known for his scandalising monologues, announced the opening of the Kremlin's new website and radio service Sputnik News, he stressed that it would continue the tradition of Soviet propaganda to counter what he called the "aggressive" pro-American bias of the western media.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's emotional state, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Stressed" is a general term; alternatives like "anxious" or "overwhelmed" may be more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "stressed" as a catch-all term for any negative emotion. Vary your vocabulary with words like "frustrated", "concerned", or "pressured" to provide a more accurate portrayal of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The term "stressed" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of being under pressure, either emotionally or mentally. Ludwig AI confirms this with its analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "stressed" is a very common and grammatically correct term used to describe a state of mental or emotional strain. Ludwig AI’s analysis of numerous real-world examples from sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times, confirms its widespread use across various contexts. While "stressed" serves as a general descriptor, exploring synonyms like "anxious" or "overwhelmed" can provide greater precision in your writing. Remember to vary your vocabulary to avoid overuse and ensure your message is as impactful as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under pressure

Directly indicates experiencing stress from external demands or expectations, closely mirroring the meaning of "stressed".

strained

Describes a state of being stretched or pushed to one's limits, mirroring the feeling of being "stressed" by circumstances.

anxious

Describes a state of worry or unease, similar to "stressed" but often focusing on apprehension about the future.

tense

Refers to a state of mental or emotional strain, similar to "stressed" but can also describe a physical condition.

overwhelmed

Suggests being burdened beyond one's capacity to cope, conveying a sense of being "stressed" by excessive demands.

concerned

Expresses worry or anxiety about a particular matter, similar to being "stressed" but often more focused on a specific issue.

uptight

Implies a state of tension and nervousness, akin to being "stressed" but often with a connotation of rigidity or inflexibility.

worked up

Indicates a state of agitation and excitement, often associated with stress or anxiety.

emphasized

When referring to emphasis, "emphasized" means to give particular importance or attention to something, aligning with one facet of "stressed".

highlighted

Similar to emphasized, "highlighted" means to draw attention to something important, relating to the aspect of "stressed" that involves focus.

FAQs

How can I use "stressed" in a sentence?

You can use "stressed" to describe a state of mental or emotional strain. For example, "I'm feeling "stressed" about the upcoming deadline" or "The constant noise makes me "stressed"".

What can I say instead of "stressed" when referring to feelings?

Alternatives to "stressed" include "anxious", "overwhelmed", or "under pressure". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am stressed" or "I am stressed out"?

Both "I am stressed" and "I am stressed out" are correct. "Stressed out" is a more emphatic way of saying "stressed", but they are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "stressed" and "strained"?

"Stressed" generally refers to mental or emotional pressure, while "strained" can refer to either mental/emotional pressure or physical exertion. For example, you can be "stressed" about a deadline or have a "strained" muscle.