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
Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 1 Oct. 2025
Yet there’s little doubt much of the blame in any future stackup of bodies dead from strains of COVID-19 will lie with Kennedy.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
Nonetheless, the saga of the last week has exposed the serious strains in the network-affiliate relationship and how the current White House is eager to exploit that for its own ends.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Athletes commonly experience groin strains when their adductors can’t handle the demands placed on them during sports that involve cutting, pivoting or making any sudden direction changes.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
New research shows that cow udder cells can be infected with human flu and bird flu viruses at the same time, which means the viruses could exchange genes and generate novel strains that would be better adapted to infecting people.
—Chris Simms, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2025
Their food and water bowls are highly susceptible to germ growth and strains of the dangerous bacteria Clostridium difficile, otherwise known as C diff, are more frequently found in dog food bowls3.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Combatting The Spread of NDM To combat the threat, the CDC is urging stronger surveillance, genomic sequencing of bacterial strains, aggressive infection-control measures, and investment in new antibiotics and diagnostics.
—Ben Kelly, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
However, much is still unknown about the most important strains and the benefits of consuming supplements rather than eating probiotic-rich food.
—Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025
Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The crowding of emergency rooms on hot days strains the state's economy and medical system while endangering residents who may need the attention of limited providers for other hospital care.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The researchers noted that Branyas Morera routinely ate yogurt, which can nurture these beneficial bacteria strains.
—New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2025
What are the symptoms of current COVID-19 strains?
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
This demand strains existing power grids and often requires construction of new power generation capacity, frequently from natural gas plants.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
Disengaged operators take shortcuts and postpone investments, perpetuating the cycle that strains corporate cash flow.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Changing vaccine guidelines and cuts to vaccine development funding have added to the confusion of new COVID-19 strains.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025
There have also been big outbreaks in Africa of the other mpox strains.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Some products may contain strains other than the ones listed, which could have harmful effects.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 1 Oct. 2025
Yet there’s little doubt much of the blame in any future stackup of bodies dead from strains of COVID-19 will lie with Kennedy.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
Nonetheless, the saga of the last week has exposed the serious strains in the network-affiliate relationship and how the current White House is eager to exploit that for its own ends.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Athletes commonly experience groin strains when their adductors can’t handle the demands placed on them during sports that involve cutting, pivoting or making any sudden direction changes.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
New research shows that cow udder cells can be infected with human flu and bird flu viruses at the same time, which means the viruses could exchange genes and generate novel strains that would be better adapted to infecting people.
—Chris Simms, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2025
Their food and water bowls are highly susceptible to germ growth and strains of the dangerous bacteria Clostridium difficile, otherwise known as C diff, are more frequently found in dog food bowls3.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Combatting The Spread of NDM To combat the threat, the CDC is urging stronger surveillance, genomic sequencing of bacterial strains, aggressive infection-control measures, and investment in new antibiotics and diagnostics.
—Ben Kelly, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
However, much is still unknown about the most important strains and the benefits of consuming supplements rather than eating probiotic-rich food.
—Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
To imagine Israel blindsiding Washington in this most sensitive theater strains credulity.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The crowding of emergency rooms on hot days strains the state's economy and medical system while endangering residents who may need the attention of limited providers for other hospital care.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The researchers noted that Branyas Morera routinely ate yogurt, which can nurture these beneficial bacteria strains.
—New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2025
What are the symptoms of current COVID-19 strains?
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
This demand strains existing power grids and often requires construction of new power generation capacity, frequently from natural gas plants.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
Disengaged operators take shortcuts and postpone investments, perpetuating the cycle that strains corporate cash flow.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Changing vaccine guidelines and cuts to vaccine development funding have added to the confusion of new COVID-19 strains.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025
There have also been big outbreaks in Africa of the other mpox strains.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strains
Verb
-
Within minutes, the driver pulls back onto the road to haul the feed to an Algoma dairy farm, where livestock will eat it.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Unlacquered brass pulls will also bring out the richness in light ochre, and a lightly veined marble or creamy quartz will add softness, keeping the entire palette feeling expansive.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a separate field a country block away from the bioreactor, Rulon and TNC installed a second project that also filters out nutrients but uses a different tactic.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The Kül unit filters and removes over 80 contaminants for clean and safe water.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sarr struggles to finish shots through contact against heavier bigs.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Forced to become a bloodsucker as part of Bill's punishment for vanquishing another, Deborah Ann Woll's Jessica struggles with her new, flesh-craving lifestyle.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That information drips out in the regular media but is almost nonexistent on social media.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
After soaking, excess water drips out of the drainage holes.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In her lyrics, Swift nods to the road Gallatin Pike, a turnpike for commercial traffic that stretches from East Nashville up through Hendersonville.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As detention stretches on, Kordia said it’s been difficult to follow developments in the war, let alone maintain contact with relatives caught in the conflict.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The election result locks in another chapter of progressive representation in Congress for southern Arizona, and tightens Republicans’ majority on Capitol Hill.—
Laura Gersony,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Veling also thinks once the inventory tightens, prices will either stabilize or begin another run up, depending on the supply-and-demand dynamics for each local market.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Levi's 311 Shaping Skinny Jeans Skinny jeans can be uncomfortable, but these ones from Levi’s are specifically designed with a tummy panel that smooths your mid-section and a stretchy fabric that hugs your curves.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The bra is made of a silky fabric that’s lightweight and smoothing for a fit that hugs you and stays hidden under clothes.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Feinerman explained that dryness in the eyes can cause an inflammatory response that damages the pigment layer of the macula, accelerating eye aging.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
25 Sep. 2025
-
These instructions help turn off the harmful protein that damages brain cells.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strains. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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