strained

adjective

ˈstrānd 

1

: done or produced with excessive effort

2

: pushed by antagonism near to open conflict

strained relations

Synonyms

• unnatural
• mock
• affected
• forced
• exaggerated
• false
• artificial
• fake
• simulated
• mechanical
• contrived
• pseudo
• assumed

Examples of strained in a Sentence

He made a strained attempt at being polite.

I took the complaint manager's strained smile to mean I wasn't a welcome sight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Critics say the operations have heightened fear among residents and strained community relations, while federal officials argue that the measures are necessary to enforce immigration laws and detain individuals with criminal records. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

Critics blame them for rising electricity bills and strained water supplies, while supporters tout their potential to spur economic growth and deliver tax windfalls to long-stagnant communities. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025

Sabonis is expected to miss at least two games with a strained hamstring and will likely be questionable at best for the third game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025

After missing the Heat’s first five preseason games with a strained hamstring, Rozier played in his first exhibition of the year on Friday. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for strained

• abstained
• arraigned
• attained
• bloodstained
• campaigned
• complained
• constrained
• contained
• curtained
• detained
• disdained
• distrained

Kids Definition

strained

adjective

ˈstrānd 

1

: not easy or natural : forced

a strained smile

2

: brought close to war

strained relations between countries