Tension is a synonym of Stress. Stress is a synonym of Emphasis. Emphasis is related to Portray. 
Merit can be Offensive. Merit is a synonym of Earn. Letter is a type of Earn. 
Tension <--Synonym--> Stress <--Synonym--> Emphasis <--RelatedTo--> Portray 
Offensive <--HasProperty-- Merit <--Synonym--> Earn <--IsA-- Letter 