: subjected to or affected by stress
The feeling that one must show up for work even if one is too sick, stressed [=stressed-out], or distracted to be productive.Paul McFedries
As important as training is to distance running, the time devoted to repair stressed muscles between races is even more crucial.Joseph Hall
That translates into a drought, and stressed trees are highly susceptible to beetle infestations.Jim Robbins
… the soundscape inside these vehicles, punctuated by mechanical rattles and the groans of stressed metal …Chris Knight

Examples of stressed in a Sentence

He was feeling pretty stressed about the deadline. you seem really stressed right now, so maybe you should try to do something more relaxing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The most stressed cities overall were primarily located in the Midwest and South, while the least stressed were concentrated in the Northeast, Midwest, and West. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025 People who exercise regularly often have lower resting heart rates. Emotions: Feeling anxious, stressed, angry, happy, or sad can increase your heart rate. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025 While everyone who reported anxiety had some level of cortisol detected, the researchers found that the most stressed people – 10% of respondents with the high cortisol levels – felt even more anxious when Monday rolled around. New Atlas, 13 July 2025 Anyone who’s perpetually stressed about how things get done or thrives off a clear plan has probably been told to loosen up and learn how to be less controlling. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for stressed

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stressed was in 1973

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stressed. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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