strained

1 of 2

adjective

ˈstrānd 

1

: done or produced with excessive effort

a strained smile

2

: pushed by antagonism near to open conflict

strained relations

strained

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of strain entry 2

Synonyms of strained

Adjective

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

Examples of strained in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

The Remarried Empress follows the strained relationship between Empress Navier and her husband Emperor Sovieshu of the Eastern Empire. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026

Season 2 will see tensions rise within Grant, Ronson & Greene as shifting loyalties and strained friendships threaten the firm’s future. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

That decision left the financially strained athletic department staring at a buyout of roughly $50 million. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026

The relationship between LaLiga and Real Madrid is beyond strained—see Tebas’ Nazi comments as an example—but on this two agreed that everyone involved had to bend the knee. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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