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Pressure vs Pressurize

Wrong: Stop pressurizing me!

Right: Stop pressuring me! (A line from the popular track Scream by Michael Jackson)

Explanation: According to freedictionary.com, the word “pressurize” means “to increase the pressure in (an enclosure, such as an aircraft cabin) in order to maintain approximately atmospheric pressure when the external pressure is low”.

For example: The captain will pressurize the cabin for the passengers’ comfort. (The captain will increase the pressure in the cabin to maintain the atmospheric pressure).

If you’ve ever travelled in an airplane or are a frequent flyer, you know what I mean.

However, pressurize can also be used to define the stress or strain although such use is quite informal, figurative and rare.

For example: He’s an executive who was pressurized by a heavy workload. (he’s subject to excessive stress, strain, or vexation)

via Susanta
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