1
: done or produced with excessive effort
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
The country’s Transitional Presidential Council also adopted a resolution authorizing the involvement of a controversial force, the Protected Areas Security Brigade, to fight gangs despite the agency’s strained relationships with the Haiti National Police.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
On this track, he and FOLA trade lines seamlessly and effortlessly, with the young singer fitting right in on the emotional track about a strained relationship that both sides are trying to save.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 30 June 2025
However, the Almost Famous actress has had a strained relationship with her father for most of her life.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 28 June 2025
Home teams have gone 15-4 to this point — but a road team won the most recent one of these showdowns, when Cleveland topped Golden State in 2016.
4d ago / 3:13 PM PDT
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Haliburton’s health
NBC Sports
Tyrese Haliburton’s strained left calf wasn’t much of an issue in Game 6.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for strained
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Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
On this track, he and FOLA trade lines seamlessly and effortlessly, with the young singer fitting right in on the emotional track about a strained relationship that both sides are trying to save.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 30 June 2025
However, the Almost Famous actress has had a strained relationship with her father for most of her life.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 28 June 2025
Home teams have gone 15-4 to this point — but a road team won the most recent one of these showdowns, when Cleveland topped Golden State in 2016.
4d ago / 3:13 PM PDT
Share
Haliburton’s health
NBC Sports
Tyrese Haliburton’s strained left calf wasn’t much of an issue in Game 6.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for strained
Cite this Entry
“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strained. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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