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
Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
And while the collapses of Tricolor and First Brands were widely seen as idiosyncratic, Roe’s team viewed them as potential warning signs of broader strain, particularly among lower-income borrowers.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Combined with other Medicaid cuts, that's expected to strain hospitals even further.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Now, Christie will have to start someone in place of Sabonis after an MRI revealed a mild right hamstring strain.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
And while the collapses of Tricolor and First Brands were widely seen as idiosyncratic, Roe’s team viewed them as potential warning signs of broader strain, particularly among lower-income borrowers.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, Duane, who also has a bad knee, strained the old injury, adding physical pain to his feeling of foreboding.
—Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Combined with other Medicaid cuts, that's expected to strain hospitals even further.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
But institutional gravity is already starting to pull the two organizations together.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This is luxury filtered through skate sensibility, where imperfection becomes intentional and wear tells a story.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
10 Oct. 2025
-
On the closing title track, light begins to filter in even as Diaz keeps her emotions close.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to Edwards, Brooke deliberately portrayed Arabella as struggling to adapt to her new home and her Canadian identity.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
-
As the team struggles with grief, Sharon decides to pull Station 42 off active duty entirely, rather than assign a new captain.—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The tissue moves around the periphery of the gastruloid before recirculating down its center — just as wine tears drip back down the side of a glass.—
Anna Demming,
Quanta Magazine,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Kristen Scott Thomas, an actress who drips contempt with the acidity of a xenomorph’s blood, doesn’t want to waste time on Roddy’s romantic delusion.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
More are expected to follow as the shutdown stretches into its second week, with no clear end in sight.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Bassitt, Schneider said, is stretched out enough to pitch in short bursts or log four to five innings.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Powell suggests the Fed might stop tightening policy.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Israel then tightened a land-sea-air blockade of the territory, which made normal governance impossible and turned every budget line into a permit request.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Encourage job hugging for the right reasons.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The new Fast & Furious coaster revved up its engines and raced around the hillside-hugging track for the first time at Universal Studios Hollywood in preparation of the 2026 debut of the new thrill ride.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Putin himself has previously suggested that the United States supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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