ADJ

gentle, light
firm
downward

VERB + PRESSURE

apply, put
reduce

ADJ

high, low
air, blood, water
an instrument for measuring blood pressure
atmospheric, barometric

PRESSURE + VERB

build up, increase, rise
ease, fall

ADJ

considerable, constant, intolerable, undue, unrelenting
commercial, competitive, economic, financial, political, social
The economic pressures on small businesses are intense

VERB + PRESSURE

place/put sb under
cope with, withstand
escape, get away (from)
It's an ideal place in which to relax and escape the pressures of modern life
reduce

PRESSURE + VERB

build up, increase

PREP

under ~
He's felt under pressure since his wife had the operation
~ on
There's a lot of pressure on the soldiers preparing for battle

PHRASES

pressure of work
The holiday was a welcome relief from the pressure of work

ADJ

enormous, great, intense, strong, tremendous
There is intense pressure on her to resign
growing, increasing, mounting
popular
The government bowed to popular pressure and repealed the law
peer, peer-group
She started smoking because of peer pressure

VERB + PRESSURE

bring to bear, exert, place/put (sb under)
This concession would not have happened but for the pressure that was brought to bear on the authorities. My parents never put any pressure on me to get a job
be brought under, be under, come under, face
Hospital staff are coming under pressure to work longer hours
resist, withstand
bow to, give in to, respond to
The editor bowed to pressure from his staff, and the article was suppressed

PRESSURE + VERB

intensify, mount

PRESSURE + NOUN

group

PREP

under ~
Management is under pressure to set an example on pay restraint
~ for
pressure for change in the country's economy
~ from
pressure from religious groups
~ on
pressure on foreign diplomats