as in unnatural
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
I took the complaint manager's strained smile to mean I wasn't a welcome sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pulled
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure
in order to lift something heavy, squat down and lift with your legs, or you'll strain your back
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in filtered
to pass through a filter
better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out
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3
as in labored
to devote serious and sustained effort
the whole department is straining to complete the project before the deadline
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dripped
to flow forth slowly through small openings
put the cooked fruit in a cheesecloth bag and let the juice strain into a pan
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stretched
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
strained her memory but the name just wouldn't come to her
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6
7
as in hugged
to put one's arms around and press tightly
the woman tenderly strained to her breast the child that she had long ago given up for dead
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of strained
Danielle Jennings, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Indeed, the process of separation was emotionally painful, but the act of living through a strained relationship can be equally, if not more, draining.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Nectar Gan, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
Ukraine may be strained, but Russia is edging the precipice of disaster.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for strained 
Adjective
In a new interview with Alex Cooper on her Call Her Daddy podcast on Wednesday, Dec. 18, Rodman opened up like never before about the strained relationship between herself and the NBA Hall of Famer.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Indeed, the process of separation was emotionally painful, but the act of living through a strained relationship can be equally, if not more, draining.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
Ties between China and India have been strained severely since June 2020, when a bloody hand-to-hand battle in the Galwan Valley killed at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
Ukraine may be strained, but Russia is edging the precipice of disaster.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for strained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strained
Adjective
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While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.Deanna Pai, Allure, 30 Dec. 2024
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Those gases usually gather in the parts of the gastrointestinal tract located near the rear of the turtle, so the animal is left floating bum-up at an unnatural angle.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Steph Curry pulled them across the finish line with a flurry of separation 3s in crunch time.Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
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During this time, an unknown hacker gained access to the platform and pulled data from provider-patient communications.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Akin to her music, the costumes, backdrops, images, props and 20-person dance squad dripped with vibrant color and outrageous swagger.Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2024
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Mango juice dripped down his arm and pooled at his knobby elbows.Brigid Washington, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The game tightened in the second, the Kings taking the lead before the Lakers’ best players took control.Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
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To pay for the new expenses, the bill would have eliminated some corporation tax cuts to tech and pharmaceutical industries, made short-term rentals pay the state’s hotel tax, and tightened a tax break for limited liability company owners that pay lower income tax rates.J.D. Davidson | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The group, which also includes the likes of Jim Nill, Kyle Dubas and Scott Salmond, would submit mock rosters in the months leading up to the final roster decisions.Pierre LeBrun, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
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Conduct mock migrations to test resilience, refine contingency plans and train staff to handle potential emergencies efficiently. 5.Ashar Samdani, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Nissan in particular has struggled recently, especially in the key American market, where sales have weakened.Rafael Nam, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024
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In high-rate environments, these firms have struggled as margins have come under pressure and borrowing has gotten more difficult.Bret Kenwell, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Some people may have tried to heed that call, in a way.Michael Wilson, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
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In the past, Medina said, the two tried their hand at creating a viral moment with a fake Instagram video of Jones getting a suggestive face tattoo.Amanda Rosa, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Women clasped hands in ring dances.John Leland, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024
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Others clasped their hands in prayer.Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near strained
Cite this Entry
“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strained. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
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