1
as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
descended from a strain of Irish seafarers
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Relevance
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2
3
as in shred
a very small amount
detected a strain of panic in her voice when she asked if the substance was poisonous
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4
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common
writes mystery novels of a more sophisticated strain
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as in stress
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time
the family's constant moving is putting a real strain on the children
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2
3
as in to struggle
to devote serious and sustained effort
the whole department is straining to complete the project before the deadline
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4
as in to drip
to flow forth slowly through small openings
put the cooked fruit in a cheesecloth bag and let the juice strain into a pan
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5
as in to stretch
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
strained her memory but the name just wouldn't come to her
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6
7
as in to hug
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
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Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.
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