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
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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
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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
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
On Friday, the left-handed starter — who is recovering from a left rotator-cuff strain — made another rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
Simon Spichak, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Changing vaccine guidelines and cuts to vaccine development funding have added to the confusion of new COVID-19 strains.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Indiana has been resilient despite its physical strain and uphill run, and a playoff upset without its main playmaker would be something to see for head coach Stephanie White.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
On Friday, the left-handed starter — who is recovering from a left rotator-cuff strain — made another rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
Now, researchers believe the condition is more linked to straining and changes in pressure that affect hemorrhoid veins.
—Simon Spichak, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Changing vaccine guidelines and cuts to vaccine development funding have added to the confusion of new COVID-19 strains.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
What lingers are the fragments that weren’t rehearsed, a voice breaking, a note pulled from the back of a notebook, a chant that filled the room, a line spoken more to a spouse than to the cameras.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Bolt-action rifles, prized for reliability, require the operator to pull the trigger for one round before manually chambering another round.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The water was then filtered and analysed using advanced laboratory techniques, with strict controls in place to prevent contamination.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Other samples were frozen, filtered or left as is, depending on the purpose.—
Rodrique Ngowi,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Traditional data lakes can store raw data at scale but lack quality controls, while warehouses enforce structure but struggle with unstructured or fast changing data.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Almost half of those who abided by boundaries (45%) reported low burnout, compared to 6% of those who struggled to do so.—
Samantha Dewalt,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His friendships with musicians gave him direct access to the aesthetic of rock stars, from ripped denim to leather jackets dripping with attitude.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Blood drips all over her white blazer.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Attempts to formalize English at the federal level stretch back decades.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to policing the two demonstrations, the London force was stretched by high-profile soccer matches and concerts.—
Vitalii Yalahuzian,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As budgets tighten, vibe coding becomes not just a productivity enhancer but a strategic enabler.—
Paul Kovalenko,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The announcement also included a safety reminder that urged companies to tighten cybersecurity practices when handling Chinese citizens’ personal data.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles held an emotional meeting with staff on Wednesday after the assassination, telling members to go home and hug their families, the Wall Street Journal reported.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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In typical athlete origin story fashion, the first half of the Christy trailer depicts the unpolished, brunette Sweeney as real-life champion Christy Salters Martin slugging it out in practice, training on a beach, and hugging her supportive team.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Using abrasive cleaner or products with harsh chemicals can damage the beautiful material and lead to a less-than-pretty tub.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
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But posting on social media leaves a record, and in times of escalating political polarization, those declarations can be seen as damaging to the reputation of an individual or their employer.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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