1
: done or produced with excessive effort
2
: pushed by antagonism near to open conflict
strained relations

Examples of strained in a Sentence

He made a strained attempt at being polite. I took the complaint manager's strained smile to mean I wasn't a welcome sight.
Recent Examples on the Web In a confessional interview later, Janelle expressed concern over her children's strained relationship with their father. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Amid strained relations in the days leading to Mardi Gras, many objected to any involvement by NSW police in the event – and the Mardi Gras organizers initially withdrew their invitation for officers to march. Angus Watson, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 The association has had a strained relationship with Gascón. Gabrielle Lamarr Lemee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Houston played without Fred VanVleet, who missed a fourth straight game with a strained left adductor, and rookie Cam Whitmore, out for a second game with a sprained right ankle. Kristie Rieken, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 Challenges ahead Bailey is becoming chief at a time when deadly shootings by officers have exploded, fissuring relationships with the community that remain strained from the police killing of George Floyd in 2020 and fatal shooting of Dreasjon Reed by an Indianapolis officer on May 6 the same year. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Feb. 2024 Yet, the relationship between African Americans and some of their Jewish counterparts at times became weakened or strained, just as the relationship between Black and Palestinian activists blossomed. Clyde McGrady, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Physical therapists diagnosed Gow with inflamed joints, a strained left Achilles tendon and bone contusions, the complaint states. Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2024 Thug also seems haunted by a strained love in his verse. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strained.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of strained was circa 1542

Dictionary Entries Near strained

Cite this Entry

“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strained. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

strained

adjective
1
: not easy or natural : forced
a strained smile
2
: brought close to war
strained relations between countries

More from Merriam-Webster on strained

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