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.
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Recent Examples of strain
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
The district is aware of the financial strain educators are experiencing and community members have stepped up to try to lift some of the burden of purchasing classroom supplies, Brightwell said.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Remember, the Giants only called him up this past month because Smith strained a hamstring and the team was making a late surge into contention.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
The on-again, off-again relationship struggled under the strain of the reality before Mack was killed in a texting and driving accident, less than halfway through Neeley's pregnancy.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
The district is aware of the financial strain educators are experiencing and community members have stepped up to try to lift some of the burden of purchasing classroom supplies, Brightwell said.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, shipments hidden in commercial freighters continue to reach Europe, though payments from those transactions take months to arrive, straining regime liquidity.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Remember, the Giants only called him up this past month because Smith strained a hamstring and the team was making a late surge into contention.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
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Within minutes, the driver pulls back onto the road to haul the feed to an Algoma dairy farm, where livestock will eat it.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Coach Sean Payton, aggressively calling for a 2-point conversion after pulling to within 1 point and then unwrapping the perfect play call to capture the lead.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With countless options to choose from, there’s a curtain or drape to suit every interior design look and light-filtering need.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
6 Oct. 2025
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Some water bottles filter upwards through a straw via suction, some use gravity to drip down, and others use pressure or a pump.—
Francesca Krempa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The arrival of Clark and other high-profile young players have contributed to a boom in popularity for the long-struggling league.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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The Broncos are 2-2 and coming off a dominating 28-3 victory over the struggling Cincinnati Bengals.—
Hunter Simpson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Produced before the rigid censorship of Hollywood’s Hays Code, The Old Dark House is much more explicit than horror films in the years to follow, dripping with provocations and innuendos, with a daring sensibility befitting a director whose own personal life flew in the face of convention.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
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Some water bottles filter upwards through a straw via suction, some use gravity to drip down, and others use pressure or a pump.—
Francesca Krempa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Deafening whistles soundtracked the final nine minutes of Sunday’s clash after Grealish’s goal, the game stretching into the 102nd minute before the time was called.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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These calls stretch beyond the Milwaukee area as well.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In recent weeks, the White House has moved to tighten the rules around the visa, including a $100,000 fee for new applications, while raising wage expectations and the skill levels immigrants should have.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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The pants come with super-wide legs and an elastic drawstring waistband that can be loosened or tightened depending on your preference.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Diddy hugged all of his lawyers before giving a lengthy handshake to his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo.—
Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Kirill Clark,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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The women appeared to be over the moon about the sentimental catch-up, with one photo showing Jackson and Paris Jackson hugging each other tightly.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, people familiar with the investigation told me that Khan has devoted much of his defense to convincing investigators that Israel and its allies are exploiting the accuser in order to damage him and the court.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
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This common strain releases a toxin that can damage blood vessels in the intestines and kidneys, which can cause serious complications like kidney damage.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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