STRAINING Synonyms: 200 Similar and Opposite Words

straining

verb

present participle of strain

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

as in filtering

to pass through a filter better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out

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as in struggling

to devote serious and sustained effort the whole department is straining to complete the project before the deadline

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in tightening

to draw tight the dog strained its leash trying to get to the cat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of straining Simonson said that while construction has been hit by the same low-hire, low-fire conditions straining job growth, the industry faces more severe shortages from both an aging workforce and dwindling interest from younger generations. —

Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 May 2026 That straining step concentrates what remains, producing the thicker texture and higher protein density Greek yogurt is known for. —

Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2026 High prices are angering voters and straining household budgets. —

Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 May 2026 There are dozens of screens all throughout the bar, so no seat in the house require straining to see the game. —

Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 The growing displacement crisis is already straining very limited access to healthcare. —

Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026 But Acting Police Chief Dan Peak says the building is already straining under the weight of the city’s growth. —

Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026 Then open the shaker, add ice, and shake good and hard for eight to 10 seconds before straining up. —

Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 16 May 2026 When a heat wave hits, millions of air conditioners switch on at once, straining the electric grid and driving up the risk of outages — and residents’ power bills. —

Kiki Sideris, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining

Verb

And courts have rejected the idea of pulling funding from them in the past.

— Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
To harvest, use pruning shears, scissors, or a knife to cut cucumbers from the vine, rather than pulling them off, as tugging can harm the plant.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026