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
Jackie Snow, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2025
The grade of the strain is not yet known since the Mets couldn’t send him for imaging until Sunday morning, but the trainers were able to determine the injury relatively quickly.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
It is currently being revisited in a context where relations between Europe and the U.S. are strained following tariffs from the Trump administration which has led to some Europeans calling for a boycott of the U.S. entirely.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
The scale of future AI infrastructure could amplify these strains significantly.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2025
The grade of the strain is not yet known since the Mets couldn’t send him for imaging until Sunday morning, but the trainers were able to determine the injury relatively quickly.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
The ruling reinforces stricter criteria for DSH calculations, potentially straining hospital finances, particularly for safety-net systems.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
It is currently being revisited in a context where relations between Europe and the U.S. are strained following tariffs from the Trump administration which has led to some Europeans calling for a boycott of the U.S. entirely.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 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
-
Such pavers allow stormwater to be gradually filtered to the lot’s subbase, reducing flooding in the watershed and along the West Branch of the DuPage River, the release said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2025
-
And every disappearance is a tragedy for the forest ecosystem and the humans that depend on it to filter their water and air.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In Trump's first term, Republicans often struggled to pass major legislation despite holding full control of government, and the party is likely fearing history repeating itself.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
-
With Andrew Wiggins clearly limited by lower body injuries, Nikola Jović struggling to shoot returning from a hand injury and rookie center Kel’el Ware simply not ready to compete at this high of a level, Miami just couldn’t come close in the end.—
Anthony Slater,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Vibrant indigo paint drips down the canvas, from clouds, palm trees, and the sweetgrass basket atop the woman’s head.—
Tayari Jones,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2025
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After a few uses, the glue drips and build-up may make removing the cap and using it impossible.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Bade Boutique Hotel Bade Boutique Hotel is one of the best options for budget travelers looking to stretch their dollar as far as possible.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The National Geographic show eventually chose the RED with the ultra-telephoto Canon CN 20 lens set, which can stretch from 50-1000mm.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Trump referenced the designations during a rally in Michigan on Tuesday, praising them as key tools in his administration's efforts to combat gang violence and tighten border enforcement.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
-
But by early 2018, the rally stalled, as the European Central Bank (ECB) held off on rate hikes even as the Fed kept tightening.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
James scurried after and hugged both his father and grandfathers' legs.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
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Whitmer hugged Trump at the event, less than one month after she was photographed hiding her face at an Oval Office meeting with the president.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mineral extraction has damaging social consequences in developing countries, where the impoverished are often compelled to work in unsafe and unhygienic conditions.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Sudden kicks, jumps, tackles, and awkward leg movements can damage groin muscles.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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