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
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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
About eight in 10 respondents said gas prices are straining their household budgets, and 63% blame Trump for that increase given the war with Iran.
—
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 May 2026
The Amalfi Coast draws millions of tourists each year — and the surge is now straining the region.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
The oil bottleneck has driven up the price of crude, straining the state's supply chain.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 May 2026
If your summer vacation budget is straining under inflated gas prices and airfare, these deals may provide relief.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 6 May 2026
The lack of regulations placed on these toxic supplements leads many teens to use these products with no idea of the risks, resulting in insomnia, contributing to depression and mood swings, and straining the liver and kidneys, which could lead to further damage.
—Jad Abdel Nour, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
While the spike is straining household budgets for commuters, boaters say marine fuel prices rise even faster.
—Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 4 May 2026
This pause would provide the necessary space to assess the state’s financial position without further straining resources.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The crisis is straining already struggling economies across Africa.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 May 2026
The Amalfi Coast draws millions of tourists each year — and the surge is now straining the region.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
The oil bottleneck has driven up the price of crude, straining the state's supply chain.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 May 2026
If your summer vacation budget is straining under inflated gas prices and airfare, these deals may provide relief.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 6 May 2026
The lack of regulations placed on these toxic supplements leads many teens to use these products with no idea of the risks, resulting in insomnia, contributing to depression and mood swings, and straining the liver and kidneys, which could lead to further damage.
—Jad Abdel Nour, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
While the spike is straining household budgets for commuters, boaters say marine fuel prices rise even faster.
—Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 4 May 2026
This pause would provide the necessary space to assess the state’s financial position without further straining resources.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The crisis is straining already struggling economies across Africa.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining
Verb
-
The same numbers powering that rally show capital pulling further ahead of labor.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
-
The digital twin created for one of Rajasthan’s largest state utilities mapped 5 million grid assets—poles, lines, transformers, and network infrastructure—by pulling together feeder, meter, and billing data previously stored in separate silos.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The Upper Mokelumne watershed plays a major role in storing and filtering water for Northern California communities.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
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But for researchers, Young said, the most important moment will be pivoting from looking at individual features to filtering those views through the top 10 science priorities for the mission.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
At the time, the group had around two dozen employees and was struggling for financial stability.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
The key will be to continue building off the encouraging start, especially after struggling with his command in Colorado last week.—
Jesús Cano,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Check often to ensure melting snow isn't dripping on the meter from the roof or nearby trees.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Fellow livestream host La La Anthony, a bronze goddess in a Wiederhoeft gown dripping with jewels, channeled her inner Jessica Rabbit with red hair.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
Verb
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The Moon in Capricorn moves through your 3rd House, opposing Jupiter in your 9th, stretching the gap between details and interpretation.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
-
Meteor showers occur on a predictable schedule each year, with some lasting for mere days and others stretching on for weeks.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
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But while consumers are showing signs of tightening their purse strings , that doesn’t mean the company’s bottom line is likely to come under considerable pressure, according to Citi’s Zaccone.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
-
House Bill 837 cut the statute of limitations for general negligence claims from four years to two, tightening the window to take action.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The pair posed on the electric blue carpet, hugging and embracing for the cameras.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
For background, photos showed Russini and Vrabel hugging and holding hands at a private resort in Arizona last month.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
For the rest of us, the construction kickoff means delay upon delay as streets, avenues and roads are awash with heavy equipment and construction workers laboring with jackhammers, picks and shovels.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Trump poses as a pro-worker force, but his policies are atrocious for the laboring class.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straining. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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