What is stressed? Pronunciation and usage in English

stressed means . Learn how to pronounce and use stressed through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of stressed

stressedadjective

/strɛst/
Definition & pronunciation of stressed

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "stressed" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • The "st" sound: This is the easiest part. Make a sharp "st" sound, like in "stop" or "street."

2. The "ressed" Part - This is where most people stumble:

  • The "re" sound: This is surprisingly NOT pronounced like "re" in "red." Instead, it's a very short, quick "d" sound, almost like a quick "d" followed by an "eh" sound. Think of it as "d-eh." It's a subtle sound, and many people drop it entirely.
  • The "ss" sound: Pronounce this as a clear "ss" sound, like in "kiss" or "less."
  • The "ed" ending: This is a common area for errors. You don't say "d" at the end. It's just "ed," as in "needed" or "wanted."

Putting it all together:

The general pronunciation is: stres-ed (with the quick "d-eh" in the middle)

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the sounds:

  • stress: /strɛst/ (The "t" is slightly softer, almost like a flap. It's not a hard "t" sound.)
  • d-eh: /dɛ/ (very short and quick)

Resources to help you hear it:

Tips for Practice:

  • Slow it down: Initially, say the word very slowly and deliberately, focusing on each sound.
  • Isolate the "d-eh" sound: Practice just saying "d-eh" repeatedly.
  • Listen and repeat: Use the Forvo link to hear native speakers and then try to mimic their pronunciation.

Would you like me to break down another word, or perhaps give you some exercises to practice?

Usage and examples with the word stressed in English

Let's break down how to use the word "stressed" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As an Adjective (Describing a State of Being - Feeling Anxious/Worried)

  • Meaning: Feeling under a lot of pressure, anxiety, or worry. This is the most common usage today.
  • Examples:
    • "I’m really stressed about my exams." (Feeling worried about exams)
    • "She looked stressed after dealing with a difficult customer." (Looking anxious due to a situation)
    • "He gets stressed easily when he's behind schedule." (Reacts with difficulty when under pressure)
    • "The constant noise made me feel stressed." (Feeling anxious due to the noise)
  • Synonyms: anxious, worried, pressured, tense, overwhelmed, uneasy.

2. As a Verb (Experiencing Stress)

  • Meaning: To feel stressed; to be subjected to stress.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to learn how to stress less." (To reduce stress)
    • "The project stressed him out." (The project caused him to feel stressed)
    • “She’s been stressed by the upcoming move.” (she has been feeling anxious about the move)

3. As a Noun (Pressure/Strain)

  • Meaning: This refers to the cause of the feeling described above – the pressure or strain itself.
  • Examples:
    • "There’s a lot of stress in the workplace.” (Referring to the pressure at work)
    • “She needs to manage her stress levels.” (Referring to the pressure itself – she needs to reduce it)
    • "The deadline created a lot of stress." (The deadline was the cause of the feeling of pressure)

4. (Less Common - Technical/Scientific Meaning)

  • Meaning: Applying force to an object to change its shape or position (typically in physics, engineering, or medicine).
  • Examples:
    • "The doctor stressed the wound to close it." (Applying pressure to the wound)
    • “The engineers stressed the bridge to withstand the wind.” (Applying force to make it strong).

Tips for Using “Stressed” Correctly:

  • Context is Key: Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended. Most of the time, it’s used to describe a feeling.
  • "Stressed Out" is Common: The phrase "stressed out" is very common and emphasizes the intensity of feeling stressed.
  • Don't Overuse: Like many words related to emotions, overuse can weaken its impact.

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of sentence are you trying to write? (e.g., a personal reflection, a report, a conversation?)

Synonyms for the word stressed

Practice with vocabulary stressed

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The tight deadline for the upcoming report made the entire team feel incredibly ____________.
  2. During the quarterly review, the CEO ____________ the importance of diversifying investment portfolios.
  3. She often feels quite ____________ when preparing for a major presentation, despite thorough practice.
  4. After working 60-hour weeks for a month, many employees felt completely ____________ and needed a break.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words or phrases best describes a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances? a) relaxed b) calm c) tranquil d) stressed e) pressured

  2. After the unexpected system outage, the IT director felt immensely ____________ to restore services quickly. a) delighted b) compelled c) cheerful d) stressed e) burdened

  3. It's crucial for managers to implement strategies that help ____________ workplace tensions and improve employee morale. a) intensify b) exacerbate c) alleviate d) escalate e) mitigate

  4. Which of these situations would most likely lead an individual to feel ____________? a) Receiving positive feedback on a project b) Being assigned multiple high-priority tasks with conflicting deadlines c) Taking a week-long vacation to a quiet beach d) Preparing for a critical board meeting without adequate information e) Successfully completing a challenging project

  5. The new security measures were designed to ____________ the integrity of confidential data. a) undermine b) compromise c) reinforce d) jeopardize e) strengthen

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The looming budget cuts are causing a lot of anxiety among the staff. (Rewrite using a form of "stressed")
  2. Management placed a strong emphasis on adherence to the new compliance regulations. (Rewrite using a form of "stressed")
  3. Many team members expressed worry about their ability to meet the ambitious sales targets. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "worry", not "stressed")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. stressed
  2. stressed
  3. stressed
  4. exhausted

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. d) stressed, e) pressured
  2. b) compelled, d) stressed, e) burdened
  3. c) alleviate, e) mitigate
  4. b) Being assigned multiple high-priority tasks with conflicting deadlines, d) Preparing for a critical board meeting without adequate information
  5. c) reinforce, e) strengthen

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The staff are feeling very stressed about the looming budget cuts.
  2. Adherence to the new compliance regulations was heavily stressed by management.
  3. Many team members expressed concern about their ability to meet the ambitious sales targets.

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