If plating-induced pressure (𝑃𝑃 in Fig. ) drives dendrite growth, superimposing a compressive stress (𝜎𝜎 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 in Fig. ) should balance internal stress buildup and mitigate penetration. We investigate this hypothesis by applying stresses mechanically, but such stresses could also be produced with residual thermal or chemically-induced stresses. Using a geometry in which two lithium metal electrodes are adhered to the surface of a thin disc of LLZTO electrolyte, we plate lithium through the plane of the electrolyte. Using a geometry in which two lithium metal electrodes are adhered to the surface of a thin disc of LLZTO electrolyte, we plate lithium dendrites through the plane of the electrolyte. This solid-state cell (~1.27 cm diameter) is mounted on a cantilever beam (Fig. and Fig. ), oriented such that bending the beam results in an applied stress 𝜎𝜎 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 orthogonal to the electric field direction (Fig. ). By using a transparent material for the cantilever beam, operando optical microscopy can be conducted while varying current and mechanical load independently.