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
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Certain strains of the bacteria have figured out how to live happily in the kidneys of apparently healthy animals, including wildlife (such as rodents, raccoons, marine mammals and skunks, but also reptiles and amphibians) and domestic animals (such as cattle, pigs, horses, even dogs and cats).
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Some of the monarchy’s most persistent strains, however, still appear difficult to contain.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Experts say early data does not show the variant causing more severe illness than other strains, though research is still ongoing.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
There has been an explosion of recreational cannabis products in recent years, including increasingly potent strains and a wider variety of ways to use cannabis.
—Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
Antetokounmpo had two extended absences because of right calf strains and ended up playing in just 36 games.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
One of its partners, Phil Morle, pointed to how hyper-fermentation can close the gap between breakthrough strains and reliable, cost-competitive production.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026
Up and down rosters everywhere, nicks, bruises, tears, strains and sprains continue wreaking havoc on our fantasy rosters.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, strains on domestic supply are mounting.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
In the Epistle to the Galatians, Paul strains to show that the Gentile mission and the Jerusalem mission, though carried out by mutually mistrustful parties, belong to a single divine design.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The hope of one day inheriting Cal’s construction empire was part of what motivated Nate to act so … violently in high school, but without the context of how that takeover happened, his success strains credulity.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images An unusually powerful El Niño later this year could exacerbate food security fears as disruption caused by the Iran war strains supply for crucial fertilizer products.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
The sustained lack of access for families forces them to either leave the workforce or rely on unregulated child care, which then strains employers and local economies, said Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk.
—Lina Ruiz
april 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Bangladesh has launched fresh measures to curb energy consumption, cutting office hours and trimming public spending as conflict in the Middle East disrupts global fuel markets and strains power supply in the South Asian nation.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
But the idea that athletic departments and their associated fundraising arms should be classified as tax-exempt nonprofits promoting education and amateur sports strains credulity.
—Andrew Urbaczewski, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
These picks are designed to make getting around smoother, way more efficient, and to help frequent fliers avoid travel chaos (think tangled necklaces, dead phone batteries, and neck strains).
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Certain strains of the bacteria have figured out how to live happily in the kidneys of apparently healthy animals, including wildlife (such as rodents, raccoons, marine mammals and skunks, but also reptiles and amphibians) and domestic animals (such as cattle, pigs, horses, even dogs and cats).
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Some of the monarchy’s most persistent strains, however, still appear difficult to contain.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Experts say early data does not show the variant causing more severe illness than other strains, though research is still ongoing.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
There has been an explosion of recreational cannabis products in recent years, including increasingly potent strains and a wider variety of ways to use cannabis.
—Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
Antetokounmpo had two extended absences because of right calf strains and ended up playing in just 36 games.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
One of its partners, Phil Morle, pointed to how hyper-fermentation can close the gap between breakthrough strains and reliable, cost-competitive production.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026
Up and down rosters everywhere, nicks, bruises, tears, strains and sprains continue wreaking havoc on our fantasy rosters.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
One of the reasons the center has been held up is because commissioners have denied the two nonprofits Leifman wants to open and run the Miami Center, citing budget strains once short-term funding runs out in three years.
—Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, strains on domestic supply are mounting.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
In the Epistle to the Galatians, Paul strains to show that the Gentile mission and the Jerusalem mission, though carried out by mutually mistrustful parties, belong to a single divine design.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The hope of one day inheriting Cal’s construction empire was part of what motivated Nate to act so … violently in high school, but without the context of how that takeover happened, his success strains credulity.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images An unusually powerful El Niño later this year could exacerbate food security fears as disruption caused by the Iran war strains supply for crucial fertilizer products.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
The sustained lack of access for families forces them to either leave the workforce or rely on unregulated child care, which then strains employers and local economies, said Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk.
—Lina Ruiz
april 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Bangladesh has launched fresh measures to curb energy consumption, cutting office hours and trimming public spending as conflict in the Middle East disrupts global fuel markets and strains power supply in the South Asian nation.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
But the idea that athletic departments and their associated fundraising arms should be classified as tax-exempt nonprofits promoting education and amateur sports strains credulity.
—Andrew Urbaczewski, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strains
Verb
-
The turkey meat can maintain some give, but in a satisfying way that pulls the indigenous bird out of its homogenized Thanksgiving context.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The driver then pulls forward toward where the officers are standing and turns sharply.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Its integrated spotlight and Color Night Vision keep your perimeter secure 24/7, while its smart AI detection filters out false alerts.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Other best practices include regular pet grooming, changing HVAC filters regularly, using doormats, and washing bedding weekly.—
Sunshine Flint,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The rickshaws have become increasingly popular in Sierra Leone, filling the gaps in a strained public transport system as the West African country struggles to recover from its 1991-2002 civil war.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Car launches are generally ghastly events, and this was way down there with the most hideous… and perhaps gave a clue as to why VW struggles to match its huge European sales success in America.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Love drips off every auto-focus shot.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The result is a warm, bold, addictive fragrance that drips with sensuality and femininity, down to the curves of its signature gold and glass figure-eight amphora.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sitting on a little over an acre, the home stretches over 3,800 square feet.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The new district encompasses most of North County and stretches up through Riverside County into Palm Springs.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment dramatically lifts, firms, and tightens sagging, crepey skin and smooths the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
In general, Krimmel explained, a housing market tightens, reaches peak seller conditions, cools back toward balance, becomes more buyer-friendly, and eventually recovers again as conditions improve.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The design hugs the foot without feeling restrictive, while still providing enough stability for all-day wear.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The Lake County portion hugs the shoreline south to Lake Cook Road and continues west to the eastern part of Buffalo Grove.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For example, an extreme weather event that damages infrastructure could impact a critical supply chain node, which has a derivative impact on economic growth and credit.—
Rob Fauber,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
New research suggests that skipping the pillow could help prevent the development of glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the optic nerve and can cause vision loss or blindness.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strains. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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