1
as in lineages
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
descended from a strain of Irish seafarers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in melodies
a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect
the strain of an old Irish ballad rose up from the revelers downstairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in splashes
a very small amount
detected a strain of panic in her voice when she asked if the substance was poisonous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in types
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common
writes mystery novels of a more sophisticated strain
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in stresses
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time
the family's constant moving is putting a real strain on the children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pulls
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
2
as in filters
to pass through a filter
better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in struggles
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 drips
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 stretches
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
7
as in hugs
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 strains
NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts believed to have various health benefits, but different strains target different systems.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
In terms of injuries to the muscles, joints and ligaments, researchers found that injuries to the knees, back, calves and shoulders (especially rotator cuff injuries) were most common, along with calf and back strains.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2025
Different probiotics may have different effects on health based on their strains.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
The Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains may be the most effective in weight loss.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Center Jake Brendel and Bryce Huff, both of whom didn’t face Houston because of hamstring strains, are likely out another week at least, Shanahan said.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, production bottlenecks, labor shortages, tighter government spending, and the lack of Western technology are increasingly causing strains in the economy, Prokopenko said.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Chicken and turkey carried the highest-risk strains of bacteria, but pork and beef also carried the illness-causing germs.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
William O'Connor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Most respiratory viruses, including Covid-19, flu and RSV, act through the indirect pathway, Roberts said, while enterovirus strains – related to the viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease – can directly infect the heart muscle.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Some research suggests that probiotics, especially strains like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, may help reduce symptoms of acid reflux and GERD, such as heartburn and regurgitation.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Prioritizing grades, test scores, and college admissions as the main measures of success often undermines young people’s futures and strains parent-child relationships.
—Ana Homayoun, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
That’s in contrast to previous outbreaks of other bird flu strains that, estimates suggest, killed as many as half of the people who were infected.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
Growth without planning leads to more traffic and strains our services.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Taiwan's challenge is particularly acute as its fast-aging population strains social safety nets while its fertility rate—already one of the world’s lowest—continues to slide.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Uncontrolled obesity not only affects individual health but also raises healthcare costs, reduces workforce participation, and strains public budgets.
—Mario H. Lopez, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
Picking those strains is a bit of a gamble, but one made less risky by the work of more sophisticated labs, like CDC.
—NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts believed to have various health benefits, but different strains target different systems.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
In terms of injuries to the muscles, joints and ligaments, researchers found that injuries to the knees, back, calves and shoulders (especially rotator cuff injuries) were most common, along with calf and back strains.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2025
Different probiotics may have different effects on health based on their strains.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
The Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains may be the most effective in weight loss.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Center Jake Brendel and Bryce Huff, both of whom didn’t face Houston because of hamstring strains, are likely out another week at least, Shanahan said.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, production bottlenecks, labor shortages, tighter government spending, and the lack of Western technology are increasingly causing strains in the economy, Prokopenko said.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Chicken and turkey carried the highest-risk strains of bacteria, but pork and beef also carried the illness-causing germs.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
So much of Brazil strains the imagination—the interminable skyline of São Paulo, the beaches of Rio curving between monoliths of granite, the aquamarine pools trapped between the undulating dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses.
—William O'Connor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Most respiratory viruses, including Covid-19, flu and RSV, act through the indirect pathway, Roberts said, while enterovirus strains – related to the viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease – can directly infect the heart muscle.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Some research suggests that probiotics, especially strains like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, may help reduce symptoms of acid reflux and GERD, such as heartburn and regurgitation.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Prioritizing grades, test scores, and college admissions as the main measures of success often undermines young people’s futures and strains parent-child relationships.
—Ana Homayoun, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
That’s in contrast to previous outbreaks of other bird flu strains that, estimates suggest, killed as many as half of the people who were infected.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
Growth without planning leads to more traffic and strains our services.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Taiwan's challenge is particularly acute as its fast-aging population strains social safety nets while its fertility rate—already one of the world’s lowest—continues to slide.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Uncontrolled obesity not only affects individual health but also raises healthcare costs, reduces workforce participation, and strains public budgets.
—Mario H. Lopez, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strains
Verb
-
Tankaneo Long Trench Coat A long trench instantly pulls any outfit together, and this one does it with a fresh, fashion-forward edge.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The cheese pulls everything together, giving it an extra salty and savory depth.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Other locations that inspire quiet immersion include the cenotes of Mexico, where sunlight filters through ancient limestone caverns, and the tranquil waters of Amed, Bali, a favorite of free-divers.—
Vanita Salisbury,
AFAR Media,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The concept filters water, charges EVs, and is built on the TNGA-F truck platform.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Getting perfectly pinpoint stars can be a struggle from the lack of low-light autofocus and struggles with faint objects in the optical viewfinder.—
Harry Bennett,
Space.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
That quest comes to a screeching halt due to the 2008 recession, as Jackie scrambles to adjust to a new lifestyle while husband David struggles to keep his timeshare empire from crumbling.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The lid distributes the heat evenly while collecting steam that drips back onto the turkey for a flavorful, juicy finish.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Models hit the runway showcasing the luxury brand’s signature sinuous designs, including the Chandelier style which drips with crystals.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At its center is a mysterious oligarch whose influence stretches across Manhattan and beyond – protected by a network of fixers, enablers and a brilliant young strategist.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
At its center is a mysterious oligarch, whose influence stretches across Manhattan and beyond – protected by a network of fixers, enablers and a brilliant young strategist.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The jacket is fully synthetic (no real feathers) with a high collar, deep pockets, and a hem that tightens to trap warmth.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Repeat this motion—pulling and turning—until the dough tightens into a smooth, round ball.—
Katie Parla,
Saveur,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Edgy and ledgy, the narrow passage hugs the cliff face above the valley floor.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Audrey hugs her dad first before giving Barrymore a big hug and introducing herself to the crowd.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Brain scans revealed the severity of the bleeds and whether patients showed signs of cerebral small vessel disease, a condition that damages tiny blood vessels in the brain and is linked to aging, high blood pressure and dementia.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strains. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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