strained

adjective

ˈstrānd 

1

: done or produced with excessive effort

a strained smile

2

: pushed by antagonism near to open conflict

strained relations

Synonyms of strained

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

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

The accompanying image showed a pair of flip-flops adorned with Moore’s iconic cry-face on the left foot, while the right shows the actress making a more dramatic, less strained expression. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026

Murphy, working with Ellis, has expanded the already-strained novel into a nine-episode drama that reaches no conclusion by its finale. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026

Elsewhere during the trip, Steven and Kacie finally repaired their strained relationship after months of tension. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

The Yankees have been without Giancarlo Stanton since April 24 due to a strained right calf and lost Bellinger for four to six weeks when he was injured in Philadelphia. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

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