strained

adjective

ˈstrānd 

1

: done or produced with excessive effort

2

: pushed by antagonism near to open conflict

strained relations

Synonyms

• affected
• artificial
• assumed
• bogus
• contrived
• factitious
• fake
• false
• feigned
• forced
• mechanical
• mock
• phony
• phoney
• plastic
• pretended
• pseudo
• put-on
• sham
• simulated
• spurious
• unnatural

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

Proponents of this theory point to Kennedy's strained relationship with the CIA after the Bay of Pigs blunder, as well as differences over how the U.S. should have approached Vietnam. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

Sasaki, who was 18 at the time, encountered difficulties rehabilitating a strained muscle in his right arm. —Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Her strained relationship with her baby’s father has launched some pivotal plot points and tensions with the other women. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 23 Jan. 2025

On top of all of this, Sirianni reportedly had a strained relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts, something the two tried to hash out during the team’s bye week this season. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

strained

adjective

ˈstrānd 

1

: not easy or natural : forced

a strained smile

2

: brought close to war

strained relations between countries