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
Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
The left shoulder strain closer Josh Hader suffered Monday only complicated the problem and forced Dubin into a leverage spot Tuesday.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Greek yogurt is strained multiple times to remove the whey, resulting in a thicker, higher-protein product with less sugar in plain varieties.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
He is scheduled to start Saturday’s game against the White Sox after missing time with a left oblique strain.
—Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
The left shoulder strain closer Josh Hader suffered Monday only complicated the problem and forced Dubin into a leverage spot Tuesday.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
Dubin strained his right forearm June 21 and missed the Houston Astros’ subsequent 44 games.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Greek yogurt is strained multiple times to remove the whey, resulting in a thicker, higher-protein product with less sugar in plain varieties.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
-
The 13-minute performance will likely call for a healthy dose of vibrant, colored lighting to pull it all together.—
Kelly Allen,
House Beautiful,
10 Feb. 2023
Verb
-
The remaining trains will filter in over the next two years.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Even boiling or filtering the water will not remove the toxins from the water and can even increase the risk of sickness, the release stated.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The state’s newest theory is that Zeigler wore a raincoat while shooting his wife and mother-in-law (who was shot with two different guns) and struggling with his father-in-law — despite the customer having the father-in-law’s blood soaked into his pants.—
Gail Hollenbeck,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Aug. 2025
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Some team that struggles to hit southpaws will surely want to add him to their lineup.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After that, the Angels’ catcher had a brief, terse interaction with reporters, one dripping with frustration.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Although eating peaches makes Conrad’s mouth itch, watching peach juice drip down Belly’s chin makes his heart itch.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
At its longest, the line stretched out the door and almost to the sidewalk, past three white Adirondack rocking chairs that were all in motion.—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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In Thursday’s 30-pitch session, Sale faced utility infielder Jonathan Ornelas and left-handed-hitting minor leaguer Eric Hartman as other Braves stretched and warmed up before batting practice.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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White House efforts to tighten its grip on the Washington, D.C., police force are prompting pushback from the city’s leaders, escalating tensions as the Trump administration sought to compel Washington’s help with immigration enforcement.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
16 Aug. 2025
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In late July, GOP Representatives Tom Tiffany and Andrew Clyde, of Wisconsin and Georgia respectively, introduced legislation to tighten restrictions on H-1B visa numbers, arguing that American talent should be prioritized over immigrants.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Great River Road hugs the Mississippi River with picturesque landscapes perfect for stops and photo ops.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
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Easily the most expensive British automobiles of the era, the coupe and convertible models were christened Corniche in 1971 as a nod to the roads hugging the French Cote d’Azur.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Only one public building was damaged in Lincoln, according to Chief of Staff Rhonda Hulse.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Aug. 2025
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Extreme heat in 2023 had damaged the quality of rice, causing an acute shortage last year that was exacerbated by the government’s misreading of supply and demand.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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