as in unnatural
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
I took the complaint manager's strained smile to mean I wasn't a welcome sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pulled
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure
in order to lift something heavy, squat down and lift with your legs, or you'll strain your back
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in filtered
to pass through a filter
better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in labored
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 dripped
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 stretched
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 hugged
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 strained
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
From frequent relocations to a carousel of careers (culminating in a stint in Hot Springs), his choices left indelible marks on those closest to him, including strained relationships and tangled finances.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
This will sap a massive amount of power at a time when the electric grid is already strained .
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strained
Adjective
Several excuses given for not having a resource officer present strained credulity.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
From frequent relocations to a carousel of careers (culminating in a stint in Hot Springs), his choices left indelible marks on those closest to him, including strained relationships and tangled finances.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
The large influx of visitors has strained many communities, the overcrowding leading Venice to implement a day-tripper fee last year and Rome to consider limited access to the Trevi Fountain.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
This will sap a massive amount of power at a time when the electric grid is already strained .
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strained
Adjective
-
However, his unnatural exit from the sport made headlines in his final season at the Bahrain Grand Prix through an incident that reminded everyone about the dangers of motorsport.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Imitating the speech or body language of others during a conversation is another form of masking, along with forcing eye contact or facial expressions, which may feel unnatural.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The number of people using the FAIR plan for fire insurance has increased dramatically in recent years as companies have pulled back business in the state due to losses caused by major wildfires arising from risks due to climate change and other factors.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
On their first possession, Mahomes stood in the pocket with the Chiefs in the red zone, spotted receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster open down the middle and pulled the trigger on a third-down pass.—
Sam McDowell
October 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That list was filtered to 1,015 firms, and the finalists completed surveys to verify key details.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
And indeed, this season’s lineup was a celebration of those roots, filtered through her refined lens.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These women, many of whom worked in relative obscurity for all their lives, labored to redefine the rights and dignity of all people.—
Time,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Hammond labored 50 hours over a two week span to create her project.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Streams of sweat dripped from my wig down my back.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
-
To prevent the chicken fingers from getting gummy, make sure all excess batter has dripped off before transferring the chicken to the breadcrumbs.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Protect your peace by keeping your word, especially if you’re feeling stretched for time.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Raya somehow managed to throw himself in the air — fully stretched — and get a fingertip to the ball, parrying it out for a corner, which drew a rapturous ovation from the Arsenal fans.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rolling back the terminology means reprinting guidance, rewriting websites, and retraining staff—all at a time when health budgets have tightened.—
Dr. Nikki Romanik,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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And when figurative financial belts are tightened, nonessential goods like snacks oftentimes land on the chopping block (which, in turn, could lead to literal belt-tightening).—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When it was announced that Hilaria had made it through to the next week, Alec cheered and hugged one of their kids in celebration.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Survivors gathered at the reunification center and hugged each other in tears.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strained. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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