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

Today’s target group is teenagers, who famously succumb to peer pressure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Are we saying the best way to make a difference is to go around putting peer pressure on each other?

From Slate ● May 15, 2026

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

"There is peer pressure, because they've seen what their friends did. There is the expectation that has been planted with an affluent lifestyle. And there is the idea of showing effort," he said.

From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026

And maybe it’s not the evil peer pressure my parents worry about after all.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

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