The dependence of the dielectric properties on the uniaxial compressive stress and the stress-strain properties was investigated for the case of (1-x)Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 -xNaTaO 3 ceramics. Special attention was focused on the time component and the reversibility of the permittivity-stress dependence. The results were interpreted according to the samples' polar and symmetry states and the ferroelasticity. The time dependence and irreversible changes of the dielectric properties were connected with the domain structure of the materials, which is modified under the applied stress. The irreversible changes observed in the macroscopically nonferroelectric compositions were related to the ferroelastic properties. The stress sensitivity increased with the addition of NaTaO 3 from 3% in pure Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 to 14% in the sample with 15 mol% of NaTaO 3 (at 200 MPa and 1 MHz). The reversibility was improved by mechanical modification of the samples' domain state, while the dielectric response remained time dependent.