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
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
The strains on international enrollment only add to distress for schools already on the financial brink.
—Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
Yvette Fernandez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
These movements supplement therapeutic exercises without straining your joints.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Sisenwein was admitted to a local hospital and treated for a strain of antibiotic-resistant salmonella that had sickened many locally as well as in other Midwest states.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
The strains on international enrollment only add to distress for schools already on the financial brink.
—Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Water conservation will be necessary as communities adapt to climate change which intensifies drought and strains water supplies, according to the nonprofit Alliance for Water Efficiency.
—Yvette Fernandez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
These movements supplement therapeutic exercises without straining your joints.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
This isn’t much different than Magic Johnson pulling a Homer.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
That move apparently was made to pull the Heat below the luxury tax line, which Miami does not want to surpass this season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In living brains, dendrites spot patterns, filter out noise and trigger local spikes that shape how the neuron fires.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Golden mussels are aggressive filter feeders that release nitrogen and phosphorus while filtering, which can contribute to algal blooms and degrade habitats for native fish and plants.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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North Carolina transfer Conner Harrell, who was named the 49ers’ starting quarterback to start game week, didn’t find his stride until the game was out of reach, throwing a crucial interception before the half and struggling through three quarters.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Aug. 2025
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Because the arsenic exposure symptoms of differ between people and locations, researchers struggle to fully assess arsenic’s full impact on global health or successfully mitigate it in places where water treatment infrastructure isn’t available.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The new collections reimagine the classic Bird on a Rock motif, brought to life by Jean Schlumberger in 1965, and takes its design cues from a bird’s wing, as well as the layered look of a bird’s plumage, to create graceful, sculptural pieces dripping in diamonds and other gemstones.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
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An ice machine in the middle of the room had a drain line dripping into a 5-gallon bucket.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Counsell said the right-hander would start in the bullpen but stay stretched out in case the team needs an extra starter.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
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That storm, still the one to beat, towered more than a mile into the sky, stretched across nearly 100 miles of the desert at times and deposited 40,000 tons of dust across Phoenix.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By pooling liquidity across the two systems, DeXRP aims to reduce slippage, tighten spreads, and deliver an execution experience closer to what institutions demand.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Advertisement Some have suggested that the answer lies not in tightening ethics rules but in raising congressional pay.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Frankie finally returned home, Beau couldn't contain his joy, jumping for joy and hugging his best friend.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
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The director did well to work the crowd, climbing over seats behind him to hug various members of the film team and walking down the steps to show his appreciation for the cheers.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Early studies found that Black residents returned later than others, largely because many lived in flood-prone areas where homes were badly damaged.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The ship was damaged that same year in a fire, but made a prompt return to work in 2016.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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