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
The shift risks further straining a pension system that already accounts for about a quarter of the country’s budget.
—
semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Lawnmower parenting causes stress This parenting style can create unnecessary stress for both parent and child, ultimately straining their relationship.
—Jazmin Towe, Parents, 22 Feb. 2026
The problem is exacerbated by population growth that's straining aging infrastructure.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
Trump critics — and businesses — rejoice Reaction to the ruling quickly poured in, with the loudest voices cheering the demise of the chaotic policy that has been blamed for raising prices and straining long-standing global alliances.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Over development is straining the water supply.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Here is Kyle yelling so hard at Dorit that her veins are straining against her Botox.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
This method also had the practical downside of rendering my colander unusable for straining the rigatoni for my Wednesday-night pasta alla vodka.
—Alma Avalle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
There are specialized straining bags for this exact purpose and other accessories like kava drinking bowls to make your experience more authentic.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Lawnmower parenting causes stress This parenting style can create unnecessary stress for both parent and child, ultimately straining their relationship.
—Jazmin Towe, Parents, 22 Feb. 2026
The problem is exacerbated by population growth that's straining aging infrastructure.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
Trump critics — and businesses — rejoice Reaction to the ruling quickly poured in, with the loudest voices cheering the demise of the chaotic policy that has been blamed for raising prices and straining long-standing global alliances.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Over development is straining the water supply.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Here is Kyle yelling so hard at Dorit that her veins are straining against her Botox.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
This method also had the practical downside of rendering my colander unusable for straining the rigatoni for my Wednesday-night pasta alla vodka.
—Alma Avalle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
There are specialized straining bags for this exact purpose and other accessories like kava drinking bowls to make your experience more authentic.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining
Verb
-
Scheller, well-respected in Central Florida’s legal community, has been pulling together a team of attorneys willing to represent pro bono migrants detained locally.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Venero was seen dressed entirely in black and pulling a black and red Husky rolling tool bag.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Phelan describes constant dirt filtering in — weeds, grass and bugs.—
Dave Lieber,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Snag a four-person outdoor dining set that looks straight out of Grandma’s backyard, or shop these light-filtering curtains from Kelly Clarkson Home that add antique charm to living spaces.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And don’t forget 26-year-old Ludvig Åberg, struggling so far but still a two-time Ryder Cup winner with multiple wins on tour.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, Ukraine’s birth rate is collapsing, with increasing number of people struggling with fertility or putting off the decision to have children.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Antnation Boho Smocked Top Set This $37 boho set is a one-and-done spring travel outfit that’s dripping in carefree, vacation-ready style.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The singer can be seen in fan videos on social media performing with something taped to his chest and blood dripping from his eyes.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Leveleve Balcony Furniture 5-Piece Patio Conversation Set For truly stretching out and relaxing, this five-piece set includes two chairs with extendable footrests for reclining—then the footrest tuck neatly underneath the chairs when not in use.—
Melanie Fincher,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The site-specific Parcours section, stretching along Basel’s Clarastrasse, will be organized for the third year in a row by Stefanie Hessler, director of the Swiss Institute, New York, and will take as its theme the concept of conviviality.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Other possible measures include curbing features such as infinite scrolling, tightening safeguards around the sharing of nude images, and examining restrictions on children’s access to AI chatbots and virtual private networks.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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Power plants running on natural gas have been forced to switch to oil with tightening natural gas supplies, further fueling the growing demand for heating oil, Herb said.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Teammates on the bench hung their heads in unplanned unison, while others began hugging Svensson Traff.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
19 Feb. 2026
-
That’s when horizon-hugging planets like Venus will stay up longer.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The son of a medical-gas plumber who worked night shifts, Darnold just kept laboring at his craft.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In the summer of 2024, UNICEF’s representative in Congo suggested that 361,000 children might be laboring in mines in southern Congo, though this number seems implausibly high and drew quick opprobrium from Congolese NGOs that work on the issue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straining. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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