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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of strain
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Similarly, the year before, Austin Water said wipes and other items were putting significant strain on the system.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
Trust is further strained by the administration’s staffing decisions, with Black representation at historic lows.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
And gradual progression, rather than sudden increases in load, further helps reduce the risk of strain or tendon injury.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Similarly, the year before, Austin Water said wipes and other items were putting significant strain on the system.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
There is also hope that the new government will help thaw relations with India, which have been strained over the past year, affecting trade and broader business ties.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
Trust is further strained by the administration’s staffing decisions, with Black representation at historic lows.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
The fish must have pulled it loose in the grass.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Gomis’ complex, patient scene construction lets such tensions lie and ripple and occasionally erupt, though there’s always too much going on for any single mini-drama to pull focus.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Prospective umpires get filtered into the minor leagues from there.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The chip first filters out irrelevant visual data and identifies only key changes in a scene.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Buehler struggled in Boston, but looked good enough during his brief time with the Phillies to generate interest from the Padres and other teams.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Fefferman questioned why board members and the public have struggled to obtain detailed financial information.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sweat dripped, pulses pounded, and for a fleeting few hours, nothing beyond the walls of (SUB)MERCER seemed to matter, offering a rare escape no one seemed ready to let go of.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Antnation Boho Smocked Top Set This $37 boho set is a one-and-done spring travel outfit that’s dripping in carefree, vacation-ready style.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kairat are the easternmost side ever to compete in the Champions League, in a tournament that has stretched the length and breadth of the continent.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The home stretches out over 3,200 square feet and includes three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Facialist and skin care innovator Georgia Louise likens cryo facials to other tightening treatments like soft wave.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
When force is applied in the driving direction, torque tightens or loosens a fastener.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Roberts leapt to hug her with tears in her eyes.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Mikaela Shiffrin hugs her father Jeff after a long day, at Piney Lake on July 15, 2013.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Overall, European leaders’ positive reception of Rubio’s speech reflected how horrifically damaged the transatlantic relationship has been by the past year of turmoil over Ukraine, and month of arson over Greenland.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Some of the fiercest storms in the South were reported near Lake Charles, Louisiana, where high winds from a thunderstorm overturned a horse trailer and a Mardi Gras float, damaged an airport jet bridge and flung the metal awning from a house into power lines.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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