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
So is center Austin Corbett because of a strained MCL.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Several excuses given for not having a resource officer present strained credulity.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
From frequent relocations to a carousel of careers (culminating in a stint in Hot Springs), his choices left indelible marks on those closest to him, including strained relationships and tangled finances.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
In other instances, the lyrics feel a bit strained.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strained
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Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Several excuses given for not having a resource officer present strained credulity.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
From frequent relocations to a carousel of careers (culminating in a stint in Hot Springs), his choices left indelible marks on those closest to him, including strained relationships and tangled finances.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
In other instances, the lyrics feel a bit strained.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 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 3 Oct. 2025.
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