1
: done or produced with excessive effort
a strained smile
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
Austin Nieves, a recent transplant to the area and the man who had brought this brave group together, broke the strained silence by handing out beers.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Trump and Zelenskyy have had an at times strained relationship.
—CBS News, 18 June 2026
Millions of Americans rightly worry about the strained electrical grids and higher energy bills that result from rising demand.
—John Barrasso, Washington Post, 18 June 2026
In the track’s accompanying video, Kelela and Paul sing to each other in a studio, confronting the end of a strained relationship as night falls.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for strained
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Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Trump and Zelenskyy have had an at times strained relationship.
—CBS News, 18 June 2026
Millions of Americans rightly worry about the strained electrical grids and higher energy bills that result from rising demand.
—John Barrasso, Washington Post, 18 June 2026
In the track’s accompanying video, Kelela and Paul sing to each other in a studio, confronting the end of a strained relationship as night falls.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for strained
Cite this Entry
“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strained. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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