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

Taken together, the Prime Day 2026 data paints a portrait of a consumer base that is active but strained, spending but not splurging, and increasingly reliant on financial instruments — and retail events — to manage the gap between income and anxiety. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 June 2026

Shirilla, then 17, intentionally drove her sedan into a brick wall in Strongsville, Ohio, at nearly 100 mph in July 2022 after her relationship with Russo had become strained, according to prosecutors. — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Clement is also gaining recognition for his performance in the drama Alice & Steve about two longtime friends whose relationship is strained when Steve embarks on a romance with Alice’s daughter. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 June 2026

Here her strained exuberance keyed up a bit. — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 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