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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of strain
Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Further complicating matters are the tidal wave of family secrets exposed by the strain Milo’s disappearance put on Peter and his siblings, Brian (Daniel Monks) and Lia (Abby Elliott).
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
William Jones, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Once the green beans have cooled, strain them again and set them out to dry on paper towels.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
The uncertainty is placing a strain on shelters.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Further complicating matters are the tidal wave of family secrets exposed by the strain Milo’s disappearance put on Peter and his siblings, Brian (Daniel Monks) and Lia (Abby Elliott).
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
Urban growth adds strain around river corridors and roads, but none of that makes COP17 a rescue mission.
—William Jones, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Once the green beans have cooled, strain them again and set them out to dry on paper towels.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 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,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images TORONTO — Anthony Stolarz pulled Dennis Hildeby in close as the 6-foot-7 Swede was putting the finishing touches on his goalie gear.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Automatic-translation technology, by design, filters out that surplus as noise.—
Ross Benjamin,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Like all of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, it was filtered through charcoal before barreling, part of the Lincoln County process, but only through three feet instead of the usual 10 feet according to Fletcher (there’s less corn in the mashbill, and therefore less oil to be absorbed).—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And problems continue despite the flight cancellations designed to relieve stress on controllers struggling to deal with the shutdown.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Entry-level workers experiment freely and the C-suite sees strategic value, yet middle managers often struggle to bridge the gap.—
Feon Ang,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The lid distributes the heat evenly while collecting steam that drips back onto the turkey for a flavorful, juicy finish.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
One is the machine itself, as its inner parts are typically plastic—both in single-cup brewers and drip coffee makers.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Just as Victor appeared to break open, Jackson leaped into the air, stretched his right arm skyward and pulled down a dazzling one-handed catch at the 3-yard line.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association, which represents hundreds of air cargo companies, said flight reductions will worsen the disruption already being felt across the aviation sector as the federal government shutdown stretches on.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Schuldiner and his bandmates fine-tuned and tightened the sound on subsequent albums, hitting a high water mark on 1991’s Human, which landed at Number 70 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Trump also recently imposed sanctions on the Russian energy sector, which will help tighten the financial squeeze on Russia’s war effort.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Brown, 21, made a statement in a figure-hugging black lace gown with feather details by Rodarte.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sweeney’s look played with proportions, with the leg-hugging footwear offsetting her oversized ensemble.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
According to Brown, Hurricane Michael damaged 80 percent of the park’s namesake trees, but through a project with the Florida Park Service and Atlanta Botanical Garden, seeds obtained from living trees are being grown and planted in the ravine habitat at Torreya State Park.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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