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
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
The findings reveal widespread circulation of highly pathogenic influenza strains, particularly H5N1, in areas where human and wildlife health infrastructure is limited.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
House Republicans strained through a day of starts and stops trying to advance President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts package, GOP leaders working almost around the clock to persuade skeptical holdouts to send the bill to his desk by the Fourth of July deadline.
—Kevin Freking, Fortune, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Luke Weaver missed nearly three weeks last month with a hamstring strain, while Jake Cousins suffered a season-ending elbow injury.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
The findings reveal widespread circulation of highly pathogenic influenza strains, particularly H5N1, in areas where human and wildlife health infrastructure is limited.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
This will strain hospital finances, as more patients will be unable to pay for services.
—Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
House Republicans strained through a day of starts and stops trying to advance President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts package, GOP leaders working almost around the clock to persuade skeptical holdouts to send the bill to his desk by the Fourth of July deadline.
—Kevin Freking, Fortune, 3 July 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
-
Then, just a few days before the first batch of players were due to report for pre-season training, the first reports started to filter through that something terrible had happened, more than 1,000 miles away, in the middle of the night.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
4 July 2025
-
Lessons from the Ukrainian battlefields have even filtered down into their training.—
James Brooks,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
But almost six months into his second mandate, his administration has struggled to keep the cost of the staple down.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
But some producers are already struggling thanks to other Trump administration moves and delays.—
Jenna McLaughlin,
NPR,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
This way, your brush can drip dry into your toilet.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
-
Alternative to drip irrigation: If drip irrigation isn’t an option, use a soaker hose, which releases water slowly along its length, allowing for deeper water penetration and less waste.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Ostensibly intended to protect a church’s autonomy in choosing its spiritual leaders, the exception has since been stretched into a catch-all excuse to deny employees of religious schools all kinds of legal recourse.—
A.J. Schumann,
Sun Sentinel,
6 July 2025
-
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain stretches to reach a shot from Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany in the third round of the Gentlemen's Singles Competition on Centre Court during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All...—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Pell Grants The new law tightens eligibility rules for the Pell Grant program, the largest source of federal aid for low-income students.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
-
More than three years into Putin’s unprovoked war on Ukraine, the Kremlin’s political vice is tightening again.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
These Good Standard straight-leg jeans fit just loose enough for plenty of comfort without feeling too baggy and feature a contoured design to hug your waist with a relaxed fit on the lower half.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
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Michael Owen Baker/AP Photo Arturo Rangel hugs Judith Ramos whose father works at the greenhouse in the background as federal immigration agents block access during a raid in the agriculture area of Camarillo, Calif., Thursday, July 10, 2025.—
Amanda Castro
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
-
Anything that damages the trust between the vendor, Microsoft, and the user is as much a threat as the hackers themselves, in my never humble opinion.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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