How to Use strained in a Sentence

strained

adjective

• He made a strained attempt at being polite.
• I took the complaint manager's strained smile to mean I wasn't a welcome sight.
• Pour the strained grease into an ice cube tray.
  — Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
• Her breathing grew strained and wheezy.
  — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
• Since their father got sick, things have been more strained.
  — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
• Ajay Williams missed the past four games with a strained right calf.
  — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
• Drinks that keep pulp and seeds provide more fiber than strained juices.
  — Brandi Jones, Health, 23 Feb. 2026
• Garcia has a strained muscle in his left hand.
  — Kansas City Star, 23 June 2026
• In other instances, the lyrics feel a bit strained.
  — Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
• Mix the strained potatoes in a large bowl with the grated red beets.
  — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Dec. 2022
• Ohtani had missed the previous games with a strained right oblique.
  — oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023
• Embiid missed his third straight game with a strained right oblique.
  — CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
• As a result, staff can become strained.
  — Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
• The council listened, with strained faces and large eyes.
  — Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
• Because the roll-out has been awkward, strained, and at times bizarre.
  — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 9 Aug. 2024
• Then the breathing, strained and short-winded.
  — Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
• Return strained cider mixture to saucepan.
  — Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
• Eileen let out a strained, self-conscious laugh then and squeezed Paula’s arm.
  — Sally Rooney, The New Yorker, 5 July 2021
• Randle also is out for the next few weeks because of a strained groin.
  — Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
• Muncy has been out since May 16 with a strained oblique muscle.
  — Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 21 June 2024
• Add the reserved strained broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
  — Dallas News, 28 Dec. 2020
• The first baseman is working his way back from a strained right hamstring.
  — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
• Estévez will be shut down for three weeks with a strained right rotator cuff.
  — Jaylon Thompson may 7, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
• Jarrett Culver missed his third straight game with a strained left big toe.
  — Brian Hall, Star Tribune, 14 Mar. 2021
• Or will rising costs lay waste to already strained budgets?
  — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
• Here her strained exuberance keyed up a bit.
  — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
• Embiid missed 13 games with a strained right oblique but showed no signs of rust.
  — Aaron Bracy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
• Transfer strained yogurt to a large bowl and reserve the sieve (no need to clean).
  — Georgina Hayden, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 June 2026
• There is nothing funny about the film’s jokey title, which is just a strained metaphor.
  — Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
• The second overall pick in the draft has missed the last eight games with a strained hamstring.
  — Kristie Rieken, Chron, 13 Dec. 2021