# tensile vs tension

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### tensile
*adjective · IPA /ˈtɛn.saɪ(ə)l/ · frequency rank #30,618*
Of or pertaining to tension.

### tension
*noun · IPA /ˈtɛnʃən/ · frequency rank #4,987*
The condition of being held in a state between two or more forces, which are acting in opposition to each other.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tensile-vs-tension