as in mock
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strained
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
The Daily Mail reported that while Beatrice has remained close to her mother, her relationship with Andrew has become strained.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
The current spat comes during a year when Japan-China relations are already strained, in part because of Tokyo’s colonial and war-time past.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strained
Adjective
As hyperscale data centers multiply, utility companies are warning of strained grids and higher electricity bills for communities.
—Verb
Maduro inherited a nation strained by falling oil production and entrenched corruption, but his administration’s response — defined by economic mismanagement, rigid ideological controls and deepening authoritarianism — sharply accelerated the country’s unraveling.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for strained
Adjective
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The semi-annual sale includes so many elegant staples, such as mock-neck cardigans, jackets with unique embellishments, and comfortable pants that look super polished — all starting at just $20.—
-
She’s arrived early for her first shift and has already started the residents and med students on some training by way of mock codes.—
Verb
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Chicago pulled within 21-16 on D'Andre Swift's 5-yard run early in the fourth quarter.—
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The slightly oversized cut offers comfort for long travel days, while looking pulled-together.—
Verb
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Yellow-filtered to the max, the film looks veritably marinated in Hawaiian Tropic.—
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Vogue is committed to reporting and riffing on the global fashion conversation—always filtered through the lens of culture and what’s happening in the world at large.—
Verb
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The team labored in home losses to Houston and the Los Angeles Chargers, with Mahomes ultimately suffering a season-ending ACL injury in the fourth quarter of that setback against the Chargers.—
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The administration has labored to frame the use of the military in Venezuela as a law enforcement action, since Maduro had outstanding warrants for his arrest in the United States.—
Verb
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Blood splattered across the person’s cheeks and neck, seeped through the gauze looped around a leg and dripped onto the floor.—
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Her ensemble featured the Maharani necklace of 168 carats of emeralds from Manish Malhotra High Jewelry that dripped down her décolletage.—
Verb
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The law requires presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces and to end military action within 60 to 90 days absent authorization — limits that presidents of both parties have routinely stretched.—
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State officials say the program is a way to reduce costs, prevent medication lapses, and ease the burden on doctors, particularly in rural areas where clinicians are already stretched thin.—
Verb
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Look at China’s neighborhood in Asia, where Japan, India, Australia, Vietnam and others have steadily tightened their security ties with the United States and each other in response to Beijing’s rise.—
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Georgia cut the lead to 59-52 on a 3-pointer by Kanon Catchings, but the Bulldogs missed their next seven of eight shots as Florida’s defense tightened its grip.—
Verb
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After Beck’s winning TD an assistant coach on the sideline hugged Cristobal from behind but the head coach broke free and wanted none if that -- because Ole Miss and gifted QB Trinidad Chambliss had the ball left without about a half-minute left.—
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After taking the 27-24 lead, an assistant went up to the head coach and hugged him from behind while smiling from ear to ear.—
Cite this Entry
“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strained. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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