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 of high-pressure

Adjective

• aggressive
• ambitious
• fierce

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 above-normal temperatures in March across the state are caused by a high-pressure system positioned over the American Southwest. —Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Residents gathered to see how a truck carrying high-pressure water equipment stripped the crosswalk of its colors, one at a time. —Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026

Verb

What if the toughest part of wood could be turned into highly useful chemicals without burning fossil fuels or using high-pressure hydrogen? —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026

This month’s heat wave was the result of what’s known as a heat dome — a pattern in which a high-pressure system with clear, sunny weather parks over an area, trapping air like a stovetop lid and amplifying warming. —Evan Bush, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for high-pressure

• refresher
• acupressure
• overpressure
• flesher
• fresher
• pressure
• thresher

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