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
Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
Several hantavirus strains can cause the illness, also known as hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, according to Mayo Clinic.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
In contrast, the researchers engineered separate strains of Bacillus subtilis to produce two cooperative polymer-degrading enzymes that work in tandem.
—New Atlas, 11 May 2026
Hantavirus vaccine development began in the late 1980s with Hantavax, an inactivated vaccine designed for strains circulating in South Korea and China that cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, a study in the journal Vaccines suggests.
—Dr. Jennifer Miao, ABC News, 10 May 2026
There are many strains of hantavirus that can be carried by many types of rodents and even bats in some areas, according to de la Sancha.
—Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Environmental advocates and researchers have warned about the strains data centers place on water, electricity and air quality, though data can be hard to come by.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
The vast majority of cases occur in China, with thousands of cases caused by Old World hantavirus strains occurring annually.
—Daniel Pastula, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
Hantavirus is more common in Asia and Europe, where the strains that circulate are less deadly, with a case fatality rate that ranges from less than 1% to 15%.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026
An unsecured border strains local services and creates real public safety consequences.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Most hantavirus strains, including those that are already present in America, are transmitted through contact with droppings, urine or saliva of infected rodents.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Partial paralysis of the arm causes dead weight that strains the shoulder.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up ticket prices.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up ticket prices.
—Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Probiotic supplements can also vary significantly in quality, number, and types of bacteria strains.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 27 Apr. 2026
Her scathing insults are as giddy as her crushing acknowledgements are gut-wrenching, as Lindsay strains to navigate a situation spinning further and further outside of her limited domain.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Using white blood cells from humans infected with hantavirus, the researchers identified antibodies—proteins in the immune system that can identify and neutralize pathogens—that may be able to combat different strains of the virus.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
Several hantavirus strains can cause the illness, also known as hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, according to Mayo Clinic.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
In contrast, the researchers engineered separate strains of Bacillus subtilis to produce two cooperative polymer-degrading enzymes that work in tandem.
—New Atlas, 11 May 2026
Hantavirus vaccine development began in the late 1980s with Hantavax, an inactivated vaccine designed for strains circulating in South Korea and China that cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, a study in the journal Vaccines suggests.
—Dr. Jennifer Miao, ABC News, 10 May 2026
There are many strains of hantavirus that can be carried by many types of rodents and even bats in some areas, according to de la Sancha.
—Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Environmental advocates and researchers have warned about the strains data centers place on water, electricity and air quality, though data can be hard to come by.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
The vast majority of cases occur in China, with thousands of cases caused by Old World hantavirus strains occurring annually.
—Daniel Pastula, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
Hantavirus is more common in Asia and Europe, where the strains that circulate are less deadly, with a case fatality rate that ranges from less than 1% to 15%.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Verb
In a presentation about the ordinance, Wright said the Community Development Department has limited capacity to review routine paint and awning material changes, which strains resources.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026
An unsecured border strains local services and creates real public safety consequences.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Most hantavirus strains, including those that are already present in America, are transmitted through contact with droppings, urine or saliva of infected rodents.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Partial paralysis of the arm causes dead weight that strains the shoulder.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up ticket prices.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up ticket prices.
—Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Probiotic supplements can also vary significantly in quality, number, and types of bacteria strains.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 27 Apr. 2026
Her scathing insults are as giddy as her crushing acknowledgements are gut-wrenching, as Lindsay strains to navigate a situation spinning further and further outside of her limited domain.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strains
Noun
-
Genetic evidence suggests those dogs’ lineages might go back even further—at least to the end of the Late Pleistocene period, approximately 12,000 years ago.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
11 May 2026
-
Last week, the fellows presented their culturally sustainable materials that center Black community histories and lineages for young learners ages 3-7.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both singers seemed so coolly detached yet their words and melodies were utterly compelling and evoked so much longing.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
8 May 2026
-
Nicks and Buckingham's penchant for brilliant and catchy melodies coupled with their creative and romantic tensions made Fleetwood Mac a musical tour de force, and the band became one of the most successful acts of the 1970s.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Add a few more splashes of the reserved hot water.—
Karla Walsh,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Perennials are a great way to spruce up your garden and add splashes of greenery to your landscape.—
Adrienne Jordan,
Martha Stewart,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
That is partially a product of the heaps of experience this group has together in these types of moments.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
All types of alcohol contribute to cancer by damaging DNA and increasing chronic inflammation, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The women are blithely dismissive of their tedious work, but their relationships fray under new stresses—including intrusive surveillance.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Life's stresses seem to slow down with the rhythmic motion of a rocking chair.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Creating the body of work that pulls customers in.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Unlike other fans that blow existing air around a room, an exhaust fan pulls existing air out of the area.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
During the blaze, Alireza Namayandeh, a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, collected samples of the smoke at a Pasadena park within the plume, using a device that filters and separates the particles.—
Aarne Heikkila,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, deep packet inspection (DPI) is a more advanced method that analyzes and filters traffic in real time, based on content and metadata.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
By slow degrees, Philip’s story shifts to accommodate the incontrovertible evidence of IP addresses and deciphered cryptography and Lucy struggles to keep up, let alone understand.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
Courtesy Christine Russo Christine Russo, Dominic Russo’s older sister, who participated in the Netflix documentary, said her family still struggles with his loss.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strains. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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