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

Hands, arms, necks, backs; all get used – and sometimes strained or worse – as a routine part of the job. — Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 14 Nov. 2026

The apparently strained relationship between Dejounte Murray and the New Orleans Pelicans took another turn Friday. — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2026

This time, the pair claimed to have heard labored breathing coming across the airwaves, and even what resembled the strained moans of a person aboard an orbiting spacecraft. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2026

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

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