How is confining pressure different from differential stress?

Confining pressure is the uniform pressure applied equally in all directions on a material, typically due to the weight of overlying rocks. In contrast, differential stress refers to the unequal forces acting on an object, causing it to deform. While confining pressure compresses a material uniformly, differential stress can lead to shear, tension, or compression in specific directions, affecting the material's structural integrity and behavior. Essentially, confining pressure is isotropic, while differential stress is anisotropic.