peer pressure

American  

[peer presh-er] / ˈpɪər ˈprɛʃ ər /

noun

1. social pressure by members of one's peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted.

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peer pressure Cultural  

1. The social influence a peer group exerts on its individual members, as each member attempts to conform to the expectations of the group. (See conformity.)

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peer pressure

Excessive laughter, he noted, can come from a feeling of superiority, nervousness in uncomfortable moments or peer pressure when others are laughing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has painted social media as "a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators".

From Barron's ● Dec. 2, 2025

I’m not going to succumb to any sort of weird peer pressure.

From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2025

At a youth group in Poole, Dorset, young people said their devices helped them stay in touch with friends and feel safer, but could also increase anxiety and peer pressure.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2025

“Mostly because I’m prone to peer pressure: go.”

From "Paper Towns" by John Green