as in unnatural
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
I took the complaint manager's strained smile to mean I wasn't a welcome sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pulled
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure
in order to lift something heavy, squat down and lift with your legs, or you'll strain your back
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in filtered
to pass through a filter
better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in labored
to devote serious and sustained effort
the whole department is straining to complete the project before the deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dripped
to flow forth slowly through small openings
put the cooked fruit in a cheesecloth bag and let the juice strain into a pan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stretched
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
strained her memory but the name just wouldn't come to her
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
7
as in hugged
to put one's arms around and press tightly
the woman tenderly strained to her breast the child that she had long ago given up for dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strained
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Since their father got sick, things have been more strained.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
Callum Sutherland, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Parts of the travel sector have been strained by the impasse, with delays growing at some airports amid air traffic control staffing issues.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strained
Adjective
For years, growth has outpaced infrastructure, risking higher bills, longer commutes, and strained services.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Since their father got sick, things have been more strained.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
On the ground in Gaza, the fragile calm is already strained by fears of internal unrest.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Parts of the travel sector have been strained by the impasse, with delays growing at some airports amid air traffic control staffing issues.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strained
Adjective
-
These techniques can sometimes feel unnatural.—
Christine Buzan,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Drafting in English and translating often produces stilted, unnatural messages.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The defendants have pulled every procedural lever to avoid being held responsible for their egregious actions.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Alas, Israel has not pulled the trigger there, either, likely due in part to geopolitical instability — the MDSC would require construction in the West Bank.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then and Now Vogue is committed to reporting and riffing on the global fashion conversation—always filtered through the lens of culture and what’s happening in the world at large.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
-
That is even filtered through the language used by those in management positions.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In service jobs, Black workers labored as porters, chauffeurs, and servers; in manufacturing plants, white supremacist pseudoscience was harnessed to justify forcing Black workers to perform the most difficult and dangerous work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The Bears labored much of the rest of the evening.—
Jeff Faraudo,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Streams of sweat dripped from my wig down my back.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
-
To prevent the chicken fingers from getting gummy, make sure all excess batter has dripped off before transferring the chicken to the breadcrumbs.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The interruption to food assistance next month would be one of the most consequential impacts yet of a government shutdown that has now stretched into its fourth week.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
-
After a contentious few weeks for city officials, Carmel passed its 2026 budget during a council meeting that stretched on for nearly four hours Monday night.—
Jake Allen,
IndyStar,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Earlier this month, China significantly tightened its restrictions on rare earth elements, which make up a key input in semiconductors found in an array of products from cars to home appliances.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The garment tightened at the waist while the top hung relatively loosely, and the midi-length column featured a thigh-high slit.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a confusing sequence of events, the two then hugged endearingly and walked the aisle out of the ceremony together.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The dress, which hugged her hourglass figure, featured 50,000 freshwater pearls and 16,000 crystal pearls.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strained. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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