1
as in pulling
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
Relevance
2
as in filtering
to pass through a filter
better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in struggling
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 dripping
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 stretching
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
as in tightening
to draw tight
the dog strained its leash trying to get to the cat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in hugging
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 straining
More than 150,000 new Rohingya refugees have arrived in the camps in the past two years, UNHCR says, straining the tight resources.
—
Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
One hour becomes two, two become three, my mind straining for answers in the blackness.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
There was a more encouraging update on two-time All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis, who missed Wednesday’s game after straining his right hamstring during the preseason.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Pass rusher Bryce Huff is out after straining his hamstring late in Sunday’s 20-10 win over Atlanta, weakening a unit that lost defensive end Nick Bosa in Week 2 and linebacker Fred Warner in Week 6.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
The judges also now try to cram multiple cases into a time block that previously would’ve been reserved for one case, attorneys said, prolonging and straining the rare individualized — and critical — court hearings that often determine an immigrant’s fate.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
The idea of experiencing burning, itching or sharp pain while sitting at work, straining on the toilet or trying to relax at home can be both embarrassing and exhausting.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Padded shoulder straps also keep you from straining your back.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
America’s health care system is straining under the twin pressures of an aging population and a stretched pool of health care providers.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
One hour becomes two, two become three, my mind straining for answers in the blackness.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
There was a more encouraging update on two-time All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis, who missed Wednesday’s game after straining his right hamstring during the preseason.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Pass rusher Bryce Huff is out after straining his hamstring late in Sunday’s 20-10 win over Atlanta, weakening a unit that lost defensive end Nick Bosa in Week 2 and linebacker Fred Warner in Week 6.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
The judges also now try to cram multiple cases into a time block that previously would’ve been reserved for one case, attorneys said, prolonging and straining the rare individualized — and critical — court hearings that often determine an immigrant’s fate.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
The idea of experiencing burning, itching or sharp pain while sitting at work, straining on the toilet or trying to relax at home can be both embarrassing and exhausting.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Padded shoulder straps also keep you from straining your back.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
America’s health care system is straining under the twin pressures of an aging population and a stretched pool of health care providers.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining
Verb
-
Finn Balor is particularly upset with Mysterio for not pulling his weight within the faction.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
-
In a video shared by the department, Sandy could be heard screaming as officers carried out their rescue operation by pulling her collar.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But filtering through every online retailer and big box store’s special savings promotions is overwhelming.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Brita Self-filtering Water Bottle Between layovers and back-to-back flights, staying hydrated can be tricky.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Connery was no stranger to struggling to find work.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
That’s a strong selling point at a time when many organizations are struggling to find qualified candidates to fill security roles.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amelia Gray was, fittingly, dripping in crystal for the Swarovski Masters of Light celebration in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Hadid's looks for the night included a lace lingerie piece dripping in silver fringe and a red hot satin bra with a matching garter and underwear, along with a floor-sweeping robe.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By the end of the game, hundreds of shirtless brethren had joined in on the revelry, stretching across four sections and making headlines.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
At the absolute minimum, Prince Andrew and others in Epstein’s orbit showed a pathological incuriosity about the young girls who surrounded him—and that is stretching good faith to its very limit.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Keep the handle away from your torso with slightly bent arms, and brace your core by gently tightening your abdominal muscles.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The streaming service is no longer offering investors quarterly subscriber updates, but Wall Street will be keen to hear how recent price hikes and the platform's growing advertising tier are faring — especially as businesses across all sectors grapple with consumers tightening their purse strings.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After not being seen together again for a few months, Perry and Trudeau were then photographed in September, hugging and kissing on a yacht off the coast of Santa Barbara.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The boots boasted a slim high heel, pointy toe and ankle-hugging silhouette.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With The Fulfillment, the sub-context is how clout culture is a currency, how attention itself has become a currency, just like our laboring bodies are.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
19 Sep. 2025
-
While such a scenario sounds potentially maudlin and manipulative, Lucero — who wrote the film from a personal place — never allows that to happen by making the characters complex and flawed, and laboring under real-life issues.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straining. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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