Definition of strained
1 : done or produced with excessive effort
2 : pushed by antagonism near to open conflict strained relations
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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 of strained from the Web
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Simmons went on the disabled list in spring training with a strained flexor bundle and has spent the season recovering and rehabbing in Arizona.
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HillaryClinton can illegally get the questions to the Debate & delete 33,000 emails but my son Don is being scorned by the Fake News Media? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2017 The comparison is … a little strained.
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In addition to his aching left shoulder, UC San Diego pain physician Wallace suffered from a strained medial collateral ligament on the inside of his right knee that had never healed.
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Acquired in a December trade that sent closer Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs, Soler sustained a strained oblique strain during the final week of spring training and scuffled in his first stint with the Royals.
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Nor could television viewers miss the strained relations between Mr Trump and his vice-president, Mike Pence.
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Putin's history with Clinton was a strained one, at best, for a whole host of reasons.
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With better health, Johnson missed just six games last season because of injury (four with a strained right rotator cuff, one with a bruised elbow and one because of food poisoning).
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Consider this anecdote from his 2011 meeting with Vice President Joe Biden — who was then working to ease strained relations between Russia and Georgia.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strained.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of strained
circa 1542
STRAINED Defined for English Language Learners
strained
playDefinition of strained for English Language Learners
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: feeling or showing the effect of too much work, use, effort, etc.
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: not natural and sincere
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: not friendly and relaxed
STRAINED Defined for Kids
strained
playDefinition of strained for Students
1 : showing the effects of worry and concern a strained voice
2 : not easy or natural a strained smile
3 : not friendly or relaxed Relations between the countries are strained.
Learn More about strained
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See words that rhyme with strained Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for strained Nglish: Translation of strained for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of strained for Arabic speakers
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