1
as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
descended from a strain of Irish seafarers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in shred
a very small amount
detected a strain of panic in her voice when she asked if the substance was poisonous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common
writes mystery novels of a more sophisticated strain
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in stress
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time
the family's constant moving is putting a real strain on the children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to struggle
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 to drip
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 to stretch
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
strained her memory but the name just wouldn't come to her
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
7
as in to hug
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strain
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025
Though the relationship and the Stones’ career weathered the scandal, Faithfull and Jagger began to experience the strain of their celebrity.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
Ivan Penn, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025
But the centers are straining electricity resources of some public utilities throughout the state, which may complicate Washington's plans to decarbonize its electrical grid, the Seattle Times and ProPublica reported last year.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for strain 
Noun
Those financial strains could take a bigger toll on the economy this year, said economist Ryan Sweet of Oxford Economics.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025
Though the relationship and the Stones’ career weathered the scandal, Faithfull and Jagger began to experience the strain of their celebrity.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
Liability for the Eaton fire alone is expected to exceed $10 billion, which could strain Edison’s resources, insurance companies and even the state’s backup wildfire fund, which is designed to protect utilities against liability.
—Ivan Penn, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025
But the centers are straining electricity resources of some public utilities throughout the state, which may complicate Washington's plans to decarbonize its electrical grid, the Seattle Times and ProPublica reported last year.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
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Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
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The 13-minute performance will likely call for a healthy dose of vibrant, colored lighting to pull it all together.—
Kelly Allen,
House Beautiful,
10 Feb. 2023
Verb
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Flashes will filter your Bluesky newsfeed, leaving only photos and videos.—
Will McCurdy,
PCMAG,
8 Feb. 2025
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Other rums are aged and then filtered to remove the color—and in the process, a lot of the flavor as well.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Sweden has been struggling with a wave of shootings and bombings caused by an endemic gang crime problem but fatal attacks at schools are rare.—
Johan Ahlander and Simon Johnson,
USA TODAY,
4 Feb. 2025
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This breakthrough has palpable potential for the industry, still struggling to combat the enduring deluge of garments destined for landfill or incineration.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The stage drips with talent (both Andrea San Miguel and Ayana Strutz are especially strong) and myriad forms of invention.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
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Photo: Shutterstock Elemental and erotic, Andrea Arnold’s reimagining of Emily Brontë’s 19th-century novel drips with longing.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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According to the Palm Beach Daily News, if built, the mega mansion would stretch over four ocean-to-lake acres, off Ocean Boulevard, next to a massive estate owned by software billionaire Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp. It has been heralded as the country's most expensive listing for a new build.—
Laura Layden,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Starship’s first launch in April 2023, for example, blew a cloud of dust and grime that stretched miles across Texas.—
Heather Vogell,
ProPublica,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Yuma Border Patrol is adding over a mile of razor wire east of the San Luis Port of Entry in an effort to tighten security at the southern border and prevent unlawful crossings.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
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As a result, if sustained, the tariffs announced this weekend would reduce our S & P 500 EPS forecasts by roughly 2-3%, not taking into account any additional impact from major financial conditions tightening or a larger-than-expected effect of policy uncertainty on corporate or consumer behavior.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Once, Lily came downstairs and hugged her father — but had an ulterior motive.—
Jackie Tempera,
People.com,
4 Feb. 2025
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Indeed, 10 minutes later Vasyl receives an order to deploy urgently to an infantry post, and hugs his surprised comrades goodbye.—
Scott Peterson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The freeze on foreign aid, for example, is already damaging the network of groups the federal government relies on to deliver overseas assistance, according to Scott R. Anderson, a former U.S. diplomat and government attorney now at the Brookings Institution.—
Josh Meyer,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
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Sudden weather shifts have become more frequent, and winter freeze-and-thaw cycles can damage plants as much as bitter cold.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near strain
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
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