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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strain
David Hambling, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Luis Gil’s lat strain had already created an opening for Marcus Stroman.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
Each of these conditions is strained when financial capital concentrates amongst a privileged few.
—The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Worse, the sudden strain may damage the airframe, and a heavy mount is needed to absorb the forces involved.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Luis Gil’s lat strain had already created an opening for Marcus Stroman.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
Sacramento’s injuries Sabonis will miss his third game after straining his left hamstring early in Saturday’s win over the Houston Rockets.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
Each of these conditions is strained when financial capital concentrates amongst a privileged few.
—The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
-
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
-
In the clip shared Wednesday (March 5), Gaga — looking low-key in a black baseball cap and T-shirt — sits at a piano in the SNL break room and openly sings observations about the comedians who filter in and out.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Training data sets contain so much text, in fact, that finding and filtering out the benchmarks is extremely difficult.—
Alex Reisner,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
England have struggled at the latter position in recent years, and with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall out injured until next season, Spence could be Tuchel’s best option there already.—
Oliver Kay,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Still, with fewer employees, the department may struggle to meet the demands of a growing number of applicants.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Rain delay Wednesday’s game tipped-off about a half hour later than originally scheduled because of a small leak in the Gampel Pavilion roof that dripped water onto the baseline in front of the UConn bench.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
6 Mar. 2025
-
In a ruling dripping with irony, Circuit Judge Keathan Frink denied to issue an injunction because Stevens had withdrawn as a candidate to support a third contender, Commissioner Todd Drosky, the only logical choice for mayor (who has this newspaper’s endorsement).—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
No official tally of firings has been released, but the list stretches into the thousands and to nearly every part of the country.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
-
However, gardeners may not be aware that harvests from their garden’s plants can be stretched simply by expanding to non-traditional parts of their plants.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Yes, corporate budgets are tightening, but cutting employee benefits is a mistake that will ultimately harm everyone as well as the bottom line.—
Danaya Wilson,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
This came despite President Joe Biden signing his own executive order in 2021 to tighten enforcement by fining hospitals that did not comply.—
Marquise Francis,
NBC News,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The bride and groom also congratulated and lovingly hugged the couple.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Select dresses, such as sheath and shift dresses, that hang straight off your shoulders and don’t hug too tightly.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The way it’s assembled brings a big advantage if it’s rolled or damaged, as body panels may be replaced in a matter of a few days.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
-
During that time, Carney was criticized by some – particularly on the right – for warning repeatedly that leaving the European Union would damage Britain’s economy.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share