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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Recent Examples of strain
Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
Cousins To Begin Rehab Assignment Jake Cousins (flexor strain, pec) is scheduled to start a rehab assignment on Tuesday, Boone said.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 June 2025
Toni Sutton, People.com, 3 June 2025
This includes among other activities, the entity’s instrumental work on multiple Ebola crises in Africa and worldwide measles outbreaks, as well as seasonal influenza strain sequencing used to develop annual flu shots.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
The usual strains of interdependence have been made much worse by China’s export juggernaut, which is not letting up.
—Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
Cousins To Begin Rehab Assignment Jake Cousins (flexor strain, pec) is scheduled to start a rehab assignment on Tuesday, Boone said.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 June 2025
Verb
Cooking, cleaning, and meal prepping can simply strain your lower body, thanks to all the standing.
—Toni Sutton, People.com, 3 June 2025
This includes among other activities, the entity’s instrumental work on multiple Ebola crises in Africa and worldwide measles outbreaks, as well as seasonal influenza strain sequencing used to develop annual flu shots.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 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
-
Aged at least four years and non-chill filtered, this Kentucky gem packs a rich caramel sweetness balanced by a spicy rye kick.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
The band filtered out of the dressing room; Sly came last, picking up his knees like a drum majorette and grinning a steely grin.—
Timothy Crouse,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Karsh struggles to find his way back to life.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 June 2025
-
Both players have struggled with runners in scoring position this season, but that wasn’t the case Tuesday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Tyler Perry Tyler Perry layers a coat dripping in jewels over his black-and-white suit.—
Brendan Le,
People.com,
6 May 2025
-
Riding this sleek pole up only to drip down slow, my thighs squeezing it, showing my strength.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
The Mackenzie River Delta is a maze of lakes and waterways stretching hundreds of square miles.—
Gavin John,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
-
For your people who come to the office, organize the workspace to make standing, stretching, or walking easy to do.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Entry to the holy cities has likewise been tightened.—
Juwayriah Wright,
Time,
4 June 2025
-
The Xtreme 4 just tightens that formula even more, now for $130 less.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
They obviously didn't get hugged enough as children –either of them.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
6 June 2025
-
Hand 103, Bethel, 102 ½. There was bedlam, Hand kids screaming and jumping and yelling and hugging each other.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2025
-
Her older brother, a successful economist, and her sister, a government lawyer, have repeatedly warned her that her outspokenness could damage not only her career but theirs.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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