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
All stones start out as crystals that grow or coalesce in the bladder leading to urinary problems manifested in different ways such as straining to urinate, inability to urinate, bloody urination, inappropriate voiding, and more.
—
Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
Flores said the rising cost of fuel is straining his budget.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
The master planning process began last January after visitation doubled to 300,000 annually over the past decade, straining the existing visitors’ services and its aging infrastructure.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
In addition to straining the CCP’s energy supply lines, eliminating the malign influence of the mullahs would free up the resources of the United States and its allies to confront Chinese aggression against Taiwan and its other neighbors.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
As an annually recurring phenomenon, the May upfront presentations may seem as ungainly as a 60-something’s gut straining the fabric of a uniform meant for a far younger man, but the market itself is as valuable as a day at Fenway Park.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The problem is exacerbated by population growth that's straining aging infrastructure.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Home care and assisted living costs for older adults and people with disabilities have surged over the past five years, straining affordability for middle class families who struggle to pick up the tab, AARP said in a March 12 report.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Higher energy costs push inflation higher, straining household budgets and denting the consumer spending that is a main driver of many big economies.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
Flores said the rising cost of fuel is straining his budget.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
The master planning process began last January after visitation doubled to 300,000 annually over the past decade, straining the existing visitors’ services and its aging infrastructure.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
In addition to straining the CCP’s energy supply lines, eliminating the malign influence of the mullahs would free up the resources of the United States and its allies to confront Chinese aggression against Taiwan and its other neighbors.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
As an annually recurring phenomenon, the May upfront presentations may seem as ungainly as a 60-something’s gut straining the fabric of a uniform meant for a far younger man, but the market itself is as valuable as a day at Fenway Park.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The problem is exacerbated by population growth that's straining aging infrastructure.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Home care and assisted living costs for older adults and people with disabilities have surged over the past five years, straining affordability for middle class families who struggle to pick up the tab, AARP said in a March 12 report.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Higher energy costs push inflation higher, straining household budgets and denting the consumer spending that is a main driver of many big economies.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining
Verb
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Saturday’s episode marked Styles’ second time pulling double duty as SNL host and musical guest.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Use methods like hand-pulling, hoeing, newspaper or cardboard mulching, and drip irrigation to manage weeds without harming your crops or the soil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The tour uses Signify Group’s Threat Matrix service, which is designed to help protect players on social media by detecting and filtering out abusive messages through a combination of AI and human analysts.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This symbiotic pairing allowed the plants to efficiently absorb essential nutrients while simultaneously filtering out toxic heavy metals.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Massachusetts is actually struggling with a huge population exodus as residents relocate to other states.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Berry, who had just come off winning an Emmy for her performance as the first-ever Black Best Actress nominee, Dorothy Dandridge, showed new layers here as Leticia Musgrove, a widow struggling to raise her son.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The marmalade stays slightly sticky in the cakey muffin hearts, lending a lively citrus flavor to your breakfast, without dripping onto your jammies, or your dressing gown.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Sixteen Stone Ring by Jean Schlumberger, dripping in diamonds.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The two sides have been trading blame in recent days as the shutdown's strains have begun to be felt, with long security lines stretching through airports.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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The company maintains transaction logs stretching back nearly two decades.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And second, there’s the audience’s uncomfortable tingle of recognition watching Vladimir Putin’s tightening stranglehold on the Russian press.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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In addition to high fuel costs, tightening airspace also threatens to derail the global travel industry, as pilots reroute to avoid the Middle East conflict and capacity on popular routes fills up.—
Shivangi Lahiri,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Think of a child with a skinned knee who is met with yelling instead of hugging.—
Christin Perry,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Try small acts like hugging your partner or child.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Imagine living in the dictatorship of North Korea, hungry all the time, laboring for no pay.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Straining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straining. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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