high-pressure

1 of 2

adjective

high-pres·​sure ˈhī-ˈpre-shər 

1

a

: having or involving a high or comparatively high pressure especially greatly exceeding that of the atmosphere

b

: having a high barometric pressure

2

a

: using or involving aggressive and insistent sales techniques

b

: imposing or involving severe strain or tension

high-pressure occupations

high-pressure

2 of 2

verb

high-pressured; high-pressuring; high-pressures

transitive verb

: to sell or influence by high-pressure tactics

Synonyms

Adjective

• aggressive
• ambitious
• assertive
• enterprising
• fierce
• go-getting
• in-your-face
• militant
• pushy
• self-asserting
• self-assertive

Examples of high-pressure in a Sentence

Adjective

a high-pressure salesman who wouldn't take "no" for an answer

"for a limited time only" and other standbys of high-pressure advertising

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The region’s dry and warmer-than-usual weather has been caused, in part, by a strong high-pressure ridge that parked itself high in the atmosphere over much of the country for several weeks. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

In a high-pressure business environment, where quick decisions can lead to costly mistakes, gratitude offers a way to slow down, reflect and make more thoughtful choices. —Raquel Gomes, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

Chinese companies have developed a technique called high-pressure acid leaching that makes low-quality nickel usable in lithium-ion batteries. —Diego Lasarte, Quartz, 21 Mar. 2023

After losing to Washington State in the Pac-12 title game, Close realized the importance of emphasizing fun during the most high-pressure games of the season. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

high-pressure

1 of 2 adjective

1

a

: having or involving a high pressure especially much higher than that of the atmosphere

b

: having a high atmospheric pressure

2

: using or involving very aggressive sales techniques

high-pressure

2 of 2 verb

: to sell or influence by high-pressure methods