1
as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
descended from a strain of Irish seafarers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to struggle
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strain
Nathan Diller, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Each year, the flu vaccine is updated to best match the strains of influenza expected to circulate.
—Libby Richards, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Combined with other Medicaid cuts, that's expected to strain hospitals even further.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Even as other parts of the travel sector have shown signs of strain, with flight delays growing at some airports amid air traffic control staffing issues, travelers can expect their passports to be processed as usual.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Each year, the flu vaccine is updated to best match the strains of influenza expected to circulate.
—Libby Richards, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, Duane, who also has a bad knee, strained the old injury, adding physical pain to his feeling of foreboding.
—Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Combined with other Medicaid cuts, that's expected to strain hospitals even further.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
But institutional gravity is already starting to pull the two organizations together.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This is luxury filtered through skate sensibility, where imperfection becomes intentional and wear tells a story.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
10 Oct. 2025
-
On the closing title track, light begins to filter in even as Diaz keeps her emotions close.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers' already struggling bullpen will be without one of its key members as the team prepares for the NLCS.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
-
President Joe Biden struggled to stop wars in Europe and the Middle East.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The tissue moves around the periphery of the gastruloid before recirculating down its center — just as wine tears drip back down the side of a glass.—
Anna Demming,
Quanta Magazine,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Kristen Scott Thomas, an actress who drips contempt with the acidity of a xenomorph’s blood, doesn’t want to waste time on Roddy’s romantic delusion.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
More are expected to follow as the shutdown stretches into its second week, with no clear end in sight.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Bassitt, Schneider said, is stretched out enough to pitch in short bursts or log four to five innings.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Powell suggests the Fed might stop tightening policy.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Israel then tightened a land-sea-air blockade of the territory, which made normal governance impossible and turned every budget line into a permit request.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the summer, lush green pastures and 6-foot cornstalks hug the highway like veins funneling blood through the region.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Brazilian photojournalists on either side, both women, hugged me in an eruption of ebullience in the Lumière.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Putin himself has previously suggested that the United States supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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