1
as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
descended from a strain of Irish seafarers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in shred
a very small amount
detected a strain of panic in her voice when she asked if the substance was poisonous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common
writes mystery novels of a more sophisticated strain
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in stress
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time
the family's constant moving is putting a real strain on the children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to struggle
to devote serious and sustained effort
the whole department is straining to complete the project before the deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to drip
to flow forth slowly through small openings
put the cooked fruit in a cheesecloth bag and let the juice strain into a pan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to stretch
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
strained her memory but the name just wouldn't come to her
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
7
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
the woman tenderly strained to her breast the child that she had long ago given up for dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strain
Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
At the time, some speculated that LaPaglia's relationship with country singer Zach Bryan was the cause of the strain.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Susan Ellenberg, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, strains on domestic supply are mounting.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Yet attending the Billiken parade costs each dancer about $1,000, said Hongo, which can create a financial strain.
—Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
At the time, some speculated that LaPaglia's relationship with country singer Zach Bryan was the cause of the strain.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Homelessness is another of California’s most urgent crises, touching every community and straining every county’s capacity.
—Susan Ellenberg, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, strains on domestic supply are mounting.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
But the next morning, the equipment had to be pulled.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Many Democrats are pulling endorsements and demanding Swalwell exit the race.—
Diana Paulsen,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The department claims that forty-seven cents of every federal dollar given to states is wasted on regulatory compliance, and Burke and McMahon plan to release more federal money as direct block grants to states, rather than filtering it through Ed.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Made in the Pennsylvania Dutch communities of the East, this dessert has filtered its way into community and church cookbooks around the country.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Niners have struggled with consistency from their wide receivers, largely due to injuries.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The plant, which was the state’s largest maker of panelized components, struggled under the weight of reduced demand because of higher interest rates and fluctuating lumber costs.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Letting your garden hose slowly drip in this area or attaching a misting attachment to your hose will create the perfect patch of mud for bees to use to build their nests.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
-
There’s Cassie licking a melting ice cream cone as the ice cream drips down her bare chest.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The truth of those words is manifest in the myriad structures from the Mughal era (1526–1857) that have survived for centuries after the fall of the empire, which at its height stretched across nearly the entire Indian subcontinent.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Schools in the network will also have a longer school year that stretches further into the summer, student-teachers training to become full-time educators, support staff for teachers during lessons and group instruction and higher compensation.—
Samuel O’Neal
Updated April 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment dramatically lifts, firms, and tightens sagging, crepey skin and smooths the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
While perennially popular countries such as Italy and Portugal are tightening immigration regulations, many other places still offer enticing options for relocation.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crowd of 19,698 and all his teammates wanted to hug him.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Penton walked out herself and hugged two women who’d attended the proceedings.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Washington’s version of McCall is disciplined but damaged, and possibly afflicted with something like obsessive-compulsive disorder.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In fact, Gerrod Moore, a brand manager of Maytag advises against uninformed stainless steel cleaning experimentation, because some kitchen cleaning go-to's like bleach, glass cleaner, abrasive cleaners, and steel wool may damage the metal.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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