pressurize
gb/pɹˈɛʃɚˌaɪz/ us/pɹˈɛʃɚˌaɪz/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
technical
B2
action
1
increase pressure inside a space
To make the pressure inside something higher.
Usage pattern:
pressurize [something]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with press (push) or depressurize (reduce pressure).
Synonyms
pressurise (British spelling.)
|
pump up (More informal; often used for air in tires or inflatable items.)
|
compress (Focuses on squeezing gas/air to a smaller volume, not always a sealed system.)
Antonyms
depressurize (Reduce or release pressure from a system.)
|
vent (Let air or gas out to lower pressure.)
Collocations
pressurize the cabin
|pressurize the tank
|pressurize the system
|pressurize a vessel
|pressurize the aircraft
|pressurize a pipeline
|pressurize a container
|pressurize the chamber
|pressurize the reactor
|pressurize the room
Themes
engineering
|science
|transportation
|industry
Examples
- The aircraft cabin is pressurized so passengers can breathe comfortably at high altitude.
- Before opening the hatch, technicians depressurized and then pressurized the chamber again to check for leaks.
- The line must be pressurized slowly to avoid damaging the seals.
Learner examples
- They pressurized the tank with air.
- The cabin is pressurized during the flight.
Verb
C1
action
2
put someone under strong pressure
To try hard to make someone do something.
Usage pattern:
pressurize [someone] (into doing [something])
Common mistake:
Often used with into + -ing (pressurize someone into agreeing), not to + verb (though to-pressure is common with other verbs like pressure).
Synonyms
pressure (More common and natural in everyday English.)
|
push (More informal; can sound less serious.)
|
coerce (Stronger; suggests threats or force.)
Antonyms
reassure (Reduce someone’s anxiety or sense of pressure.)
|
ease off (Stop pushing; reduce pressure informally.)
Collocations
pressurize employees
|pressurize voters
|pressurize someone into resigning
|pressurize someone into signing
|pressurize someone into agreeing
|pressurize a witness
|pressurize a client
|pressurize a partner
|pressurize the team
|pressurize the committee
Themes
social_life
|business
|emotions
Examples
- He felt pressurized by his friends to drink more than he wanted.
- The sales team was pressurized into meeting unrealistic targets.
- Don’t pressurize her into making a decision today.
Learner examples
- Do not pressurize me to decide now.
- They pressurized him into signing the contract.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pressurize
IPA
GB/pɹˈɛʃɚˌaɪz/
US/pɹˈɛʃɚˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
pres - sur - ize (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pres)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: pressurize
- 3rd Person Singular: pressurizes
- Present Participle: pressurizing
- Past: pressurized
Word family
Forms
pressurizes
verb
pressurizing
verb
pressurized
verb
Core family
pressure
noun B1
pressurization
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
depressurize
verb
unpressurized
adjective
Advanced or less common
depressurization
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.