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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strain
ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Without this stabilizing coordination in your gait, movement is limited, and chronic issues can develop in the form of back pain, hip discomfort or knee strain.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
Travelers across the United States are encountering unusually long airport security lines as a partial federal government shutdown strains staffing at the Transportation Security Administration.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
The election will hinge on voters' views of how Laporta ran the club for the last five years under considerable financial strain.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Without this stabilizing coordination in your gait, movement is limited, and chronic issues can develop in the form of back pain, hip discomfort or knee strain.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Board members argued such a facility would strain water and sewer capacity, harm the area’s quality of life and dampen tourism.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
Travelers across the United States are encountering unusually long airport security lines as a partial federal government shutdown strains staffing at the Transportation Security Administration.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
This delicate top looks like it was pulled straight from Reformation or Doen’s website.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The blue Ford quickly comes to a full stop and Martinez is pulled from the vehicle and handcuffed by multiple officers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once this storm heads east by Thursday afternoon, cooler and drier weather will filter in with temperatures closer to our March normals of 50 degrees and 71 degrees.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The tour uses Signify Group’s Threat Matrix service, which is designed to help protect players on social media by detecting and filtering out abusive messages through a combination of AI and human analysts.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nicolas Datiche | Lightrocket | Getty Images AI tools may also struggle with real-world nuances that experienced travel planners account for.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Despite flashing elite potential with 29 points against Indiana, Arenas struggled with consistency as the Trojans spiraled during a seven-game losing streak.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But high-ranking officials have offered statements dripping with obscurity.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Sometimes, drip line connections can become loose, which is an easy fix.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Broncos’ offensive woes allowed San Jose State to stretch its lead back out to double digits, 67-56, across the next five minutes.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The 2nd District stretches from the central part of the state west to the Mississippi River and is considered a Democratic stronghold, setting Thompson up to win his 18th congressional term.—
JEFF AMY AND SOPHIE BATES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Set in 1970s America, as television tightens its grip on American culture, veteran anchorman Howard Beale unravels live on air.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
-
These stronger winds are a sign of a tightening pressure gradient, which occurs as air pressure changes across the region.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ballpoint tip aims to hug the natural curvature of your lip for bleed-proof precision.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Lake County portion hugs the shoreline south to Lake Cook Road and continues west to the eastern part of Buffalo Grove.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bahrain and Qatar have effectively halted production of oil and LNG, keeping output at a trickle to avoid complete shutdowns that could damage reservoirs and delay restarts.—
Amena Bakr,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
