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
With belt-cinching streamers straining to do more with less, sloppy vibe calibration has become a common problem.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Even in states like Texas, which opted not to expand its Medicaid program and continued to rely on counties to care for many of its uninsured, rising health care costs are straining local budgets.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
In the wake of such a brazen display of US military power in Venezuela, this rhetoric has taken on a different character, straining Washington’s relationship with its NATO ally.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The front five was one of Washington’s most consistent and reliable groups this season, largely because of Tunsil, who had one of his finest seasons before straining his oblique in Week 16.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Your 4th House of Traditions gleams under today’s Full Moon, so private needs are potentially straining against public duties.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
The shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers to work without pay, straining operations at major airports.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Even in the wealthiest countries populations are aging and straining key social systems.
—Sarah McCammon, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
Unmoored by the star-power vacuum left by heavyweights Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner, the cast is clearly straining to find its footing in these early episodes.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2025
Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Even in states like Texas, which opted not to expand its Medicaid program and continued to rely on counties to care for many of its uninsured, rising health care costs are straining local budgets.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
In the wake of such a brazen display of US military power in Venezuela, this rhetoric has taken on a different character, straining Washington’s relationship with its NATO ally.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The front five was one of Washington’s most consistent and reliable groups this season, largely because of Tunsil, who had one of his finest seasons before straining his oblique in Week 16.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Your 4th House of Traditions gleams under today’s Full Moon, so private needs are potentially straining against public duties.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
The shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers to work without pay, straining operations at major airports.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Even in the wealthiest countries populations are aging and straining key social systems.
—Sarah McCammon, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
Unmoored by the star-power vacuum left by heavyweights Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner, the cast is clearly straining to find its footing in these early episodes.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining
Verb
-
As his career skyrocketed, Chalamet spent years quietly training — aided by an expert on the sport, Diego Schaaf — by pulling a table-tennis setup along to productions ranging from Dune to Wonka.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Notre Dame didn’t mess around in pulling all that material together, looking like a program with a plan before the portal opened.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Strategically using dimmers, light-filtering and -blocking window coverings, and temperature-changing light sources also offer sensory support.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Winds will remain gusty throughout Saturday, with drier air filtering in behind the front.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, the technology has been moving faster than state regulations can accommodate, and lawmakers have been struggling to walk the line between innovation and patient safety.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
And, for many borrowers struggling with debt, exploring alternatives like debt settlement or consolidation may offer significant relief without the complications that bankruptcy rules can create.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jessica Chastain wore a custom Cucinelli gown dripping in diamond accents and talked shop with DuVernay.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
-
However things turn out next month, Bowe’s 38th birthday will coincide with another passage in her life, one dripping with anticipation and, perhaps, a dose of poignancy.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The upholstery resists stretching and is simple to maintain, while the high-density foam cushions soften and shape to you over time.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
-
As such, cryptocurrency prices are important to the market, with their impact stretching well beyond the bounds of the traditional crypto sphere.—
Malana VanTyler,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Many expected to see significant belt tightening, my colleague Melody Gutierrez wrote, after the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office warned that California faces a nearly $18-billion budget shortfall.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, several states spanning the political spectrum, including Arizona, Arkansas, and Vermont are tightening laws or considering additional restrictions on the ATMs.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The custom column Ashi Studio dress, which took more than 300 hours to create, featured a hip-hugging silhouette and strappy neckline with eight different strands of crystals that draped over her shoulders.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
-
In January 2025, Lane posted a photo on Instagram of himself hugging Layla and wishing her a happy birthday.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That’s right, the Patriot did in two seasons what the Dolphins have been laboring since 2008 to achieve.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Mobley had been laboring to expand his range all offseason, launching thousands of 3s.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
19 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straining. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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