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
Charna Flam, People.com, 26 June 2025
Anthony Davis, the main piece in Dallas’ return for Doncic, suffered an adductor strain in his first game after the trade, while Kyrie Irving, who became the Mavs’ primary point guard, suffered a torn ACL.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 24 June 2025
Some locals in Venice, which has dealt with overtourism that has strained the city’s infrastructure and services for years, have staged protests over concerns the wedding’s scale will worsen some of the issues created by excessive tourist crowds.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
That news came just days after a separate source told PEOPLE that Bloom and Perry had experienced strain in their relationship amid the release of her latest album 143.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 26 June 2025
Anthony Davis, the main piece in Dallas’ return for Doncic, suffered an adductor strain in his first game after the trade, while Kyrie Irving, who became the Mavs’ primary point guard, suffered a torn ACL.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
Verb
And for those who lack it—or who want to minimize their bill and strain on the power grid—there are other ways to help keep a home relatively cool.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 24 June 2025
Some locals in Venice, which has dealt with overtourism that has strained the city’s infrastructure and services for years, have staged protests over concerns the wedding’s scale will worsen some of the issues created by excessive tourist crowds.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 24 June 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
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For example, an expert may assess whether job candidates from HBCUs are being filtered out of the talent pool.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Mocktails, juices, a self-serve soda station, specialty coffees, and filtered water stations round out the options.—
Paul Rubio,
AFAR Media,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Though several Democrats are starting to make moves toward 2028, liberals have struggled with the lack of a main character to match Trump's political moxie the way then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi did in his first term.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
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However, San Jose has struggled to keep pace, with the city failing to see a single construction start last year for market-rate multi-family developments over 20 units, making the Pleasant Hills project a potential bonus should it be constructed.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
But a special energy crackles in the grandstands when a hitter who drips with danger steps to the plate.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
-
The liquid caught on his glasses and dripped into his eyes.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The fresh data resumes a trend of worsening consumer confidence that stretches back to the outset of 2025.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
24 June 2025
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But if the differences are too wide, the two chambers will need to hash things out in a process that could stretch for weeks or months.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Many in Iran and abroad now fear the country’s leadership – its pride and defenses wounded – may tighten its grip at home while adopting a much more hawkish stance in both domestic and foreign policy.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
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The Trump Card would also arrive as many countries once favored by the wealthy — including Spain, Portugal and Italy — are tightening their investment-visa programs amid populist opposition and political backlash.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Guardiola has always traditionally asked for his two wingers to provide the width for the team but that started to change at times last season, with the full-backs hugging the touchline.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
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Aaron Paul and pal, Chef Michael Mina, hug it out at the one-year anniversary of Bourbon Steak in New York.—
Grace Harrington,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Worn restorations: Dental fillings, crowns, and restorations can also become damaged or worn over time, exposing dentin and raising the risk of tooth decay.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
21 June 2025
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There is radiological and chemical contamination at the Natanz facility, where an above-ground portion of the fuel enrichment plant was damaged after a military strike on June 13, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi told the United Nations Security Council on Friday.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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