Understanding Pressure: Definition, Causes & Impact

Pressured is a term that has a few different meanings. In general, it refers to feeling a sense of stress, strain, or urgency. It can be used to describe:

- A person's emotional or mental state, e.g. "I'm feeling pressured to finish this project on time."

- A situation or event that is causing stress or urgency, e.g. "The company is under pressure to increase sales."

- A persuasive or demanding request, e.g. "The government is pressuring the business community to reduce environmental pollution."

In some cases, pressured can also refer to the physical sensation of something pressing against or squeezing something else, such as when a body part feels crushed or compressed.