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
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
Now, researchers believe the condition is more linked to straining and changes in pressure that affect hemorrhoid veins.
—
Simon Spichak, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Just over 50 years ago, the oil shock of 1973 triggered a staggering spike in gasoline prices in the United States, Europe, and beyond, straining economies and causing drastic fuel shortages.
—Fatih Birol, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Partner with experienced business leaders, part-time managers, or consultants who can add structure without straining budgets.
—Dan Ringo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Control Blood Pressure High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, straining the cardiovascular system and increasing the risk of heart attack and heart failure.
—Amy Isler, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 15 people, further straining health services in the country.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The screen is optimized for color reading without straining your eyes.
—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, 5 Sep. 2025
Additionally, because participants’ behavior was self-reported, time spent on the toilet and straining could be affected by recall bias.
—New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
The study results suggest the issue is most likely the time spent sitting on the toilet rather than straining, Pasricha said.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Simon Spichak, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Just over 50 years ago, the oil shock of 1973 triggered a staggering spike in gasoline prices in the United States, Europe, and beyond, straining economies and causing drastic fuel shortages.
—Fatih Birol, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Partner with experienced business leaders, part-time managers, or consultants who can add structure without straining budgets.
—Dan Ringo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Control Blood Pressure High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, straining the cardiovascular system and increasing the risk of heart attack and heart failure.
—Amy Isler, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 15 people, further straining health services in the country.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The screen is optimized for color reading without straining your eyes.
—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, 5 Sep. 2025
Additionally, because participants’ behavior was self-reported, time spent on the toilet and straining could be affected by recall bias.
—New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
The study results suggest the issue is most likely the time spent sitting on the toilet rather than straining, Pasricha said.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining
Verb
-
Running back Henry Rutledge is awaiting the results of an MRI for a lower-body injury after pulling himself after playing five snaps against North Carolina.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Companies that committed to DEI efforts and made public statements are now pulling back from those policies, editing their websites, disbanding employee resource groups, and quietly abandoning inclusive hiring goals.—
C200,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Supporting the best candidates and filtering out the worst is necessary for both the short-term and long-term health of the party and country as a whole.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
By filtering out vibrations and electromagnetic interference, Ironstone Opal maintained accuracy without the recalibration classical systems require.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Apart from buying struggling retailers, Barnes & Noble has expanded its physical footprint.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Despite the additional funding, the Advocate pointed out that some TAC offices were already struggling—as of April 15, 2025, 239 were understaffed and 21 were unstaffed.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His friendships with musicians gave him direct access to the aesthetic of rock stars, from ripped denim to leather jackets dripping with attitude.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The first singles from Carey’s 16th album are dripping with braggadocio with her inimitable voice wafting like smoke.—
Matthew Schnipper,
Vulture,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Complimentary activities range from morning stretching with a sea breeze to late-afternoon volleyball in the sand to learning about local culture through a Boduberu drum session.—
Katie Lockhart,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Across eight episodes, Levy explores eight countries—Austria, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Mexico, South Korea and the United States—touching down in dreamy, horizon-stretching destinations that broaden his perspective, as well as his viewers’ outlook.—
Laura Manske,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
They are favored to win the governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey, though the former appears to be tightening.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The tightening polls also came after Cornyn leaned into the Texas redistricting fight, garnering attention for calling on the FBI to help bring back Democrats who had fled the state in protest against efforts to redraw the maps.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When Frankie finally returned home, Beau couldn't contain his joy, jumping for joy and hugging his best friend.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Layered on top of this is the Northern Sea Route, a shipping lane hugging the Russian coast in the Arctic that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, chops down transit times and helps Moscow transport hydrocarbons to key markets, including in Asia.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Chiefs players spent training camp laboring at hot, humid Missouri Western State University.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
During that season Clark was laboring to teach all his defensive linemen a new technique to use, and players would have to film themselves working on it, and send it into the coaches.—
Omar Kelly
August 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straining. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share