strained

adjective

ˈstrānd 

1

: done or produced with excessive effort

2

: pushed by antagonism near to open conflict

strained relations

Synonyms

• unnatural
• mock
• affected
• forced
• exaggerated
• false
• artificial
• fake
• simulated
• mechanical
• contrived
• pseudo
• assumed

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

Focused on expanding their notorious drug and money laundering organization outside of Detroit, their strained relationship has left the brothers divided. —Giana Levy, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025

Gal Gadot is opening up for the first time about the commercial failure of Disney’s Snow White and shuts down reports of a strained relationship with co-star Rachel Zegler. —David Caspi, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2025

This has all led some officials to conclude that much of the money still at play must go toward boosting capacity within the region’s strained shelter system. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025

Gabriel has also been limited because of a strained hamstring. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for strained

• abstained
• arraigned
• attained
• bloodstained
• campaigned
• complained
• constrained
• contained
• curtained
• detained
• disdained
• distrained

Kids Definition

strained

adjective

ˈstrānd 

1

: not easy or natural : forced

a strained smile

2

: brought close to war

strained relations between countries