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
While global data center appetite is strong, the pace and scale of these projects are straining traditional lenders, said the panelists.
—
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Domestically in Taiwan, Washington’s growing list of demands are straining relations with the East Asian economic powerhouse, and risk further souring public sentiment in Taiwan toward the US.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Gulf sovereign funds have outpaced their global peers in dealmaking despite lower oil prices straining government finances and Saudi Arabia prioritising domestic projects.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The question now is how governments can soften the economic shock as shrinking workforces are left to support ever-larger retiree populations, straining pensions, healthcare systems and social safety nets.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
The Jets go into Miami Monday night straining for their first win.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, and give it a long hard shake, 10 to 12 seconds, before straining either up into a coupe or over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Rather than the large swath of private equity firms that backed LBOs over the years, with investors sometimes squabbling over strategy and straining under heavy debt loads, the new-model buyouts have fewer and deeper-pocketed sponsors.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
An inevitable part of lawn maintenance, ridding your space of weeds often takes hours to do and requires bending, straining, and stretching in less-than-ideal positions to get the job done.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2025
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Domestically in Taiwan, Washington’s growing list of demands are straining relations with the East Asian economic powerhouse, and risk further souring public sentiment in Taiwan toward the US.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Gulf sovereign funds have outpaced their global peers in dealmaking despite lower oil prices straining government finances and Saudi Arabia prioritising domestic projects.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The question now is how governments can soften the economic shock as shrinking workforces are left to support ever-larger retiree populations, straining pensions, healthcare systems and social safety nets.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
The Jets go into Miami Monday night straining for their first win.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, and give it a long hard shake, 10 to 12 seconds, before straining either up into a coupe or over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Rather than the large swath of private equity firms that backed LBOs over the years, with investors sometimes squabbling over strategy and straining under heavy debt loads, the new-model buyouts have fewer and deeper-pocketed sponsors.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
An inevitable part of lawn maintenance, ridding your space of weeds often takes hours to do and requires bending, straining, and stretching in less-than-ideal positions to get the job done.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining
Verb
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Over and over, the department has used the threat of pulling federal funding to force compliance with new directives and rapid shifts in policy.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
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After pulling her daughter out of public school, Thompson enrolled Meadow in Fortune Academy and eventually became its director of development.—
Tory Basile,
IndyStar,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sorting centers follow strict cultural guidelines, filtering out prints that may evoke conflict, ensuring clothes can be handed over directly.—
Chizuru Muko,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
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Rather than fighting this inevitable tide, Köhler closely examines the subject without didacticism, filtering it through a passive-aggressive relationship drama, until only its most potent ingredients remain.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Maybe new additions will boost a struggling position group.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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The ever-paranoid Ally believes all of these headscratchers are part of a Trumpian conspiracy that's out to get her, but audiences were left struggling to connect the dots.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gucci is clearly embracing jewelry as the characters were dripping with huge pieces, including big ’80s-style earrings.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Something sticky was dripping out of the cabinet.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Deafening whistles soundtracked the final nine minutes of Sunday’s clash after Grealish’s goal, the game stretching into the 102nd minute before the time was called.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The often snowy State Route 67, stretching some 43 miles south from Jacob Lake Inn to the lodge and scenic overlooks, goes unplowed after the first big storm.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Previous polls had shown Spanberger ahead by wider margins, signaling a tightening race over the past month.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The most stomach-tightening course arguably involves the Cave Peak Stairway, a 200-foot-long steel bridge that spans from one peak to another.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After the screening, video circulated online of the True Blood alum, wearing a white Magliano T-shirt with an image of a boot hovering over a man's outstretched tongue, hugging Pascal and kissing him on the cheek while the cast received a standing ovation at the screening.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
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She was also seen hugging the Italian fashion designer and whispering into his ear.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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 8 Oct. 2025.
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