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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strained
Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
In its report, Variety detailed mounting unpaid bills, strained vendor relationships, and internal turmoil at Row K that’s left employees and clients hanging in the balance after only eight months.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Randy Thanthong-Knight, Bloomberg, 26 Mar. 2026
In order to pay for their investments, private-equity companies raised money from major financial institutions—but now the viability of those lease payments is coming into question as the hyperscalers’ cash flow is strained.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strained
Adjective
Adam also alludes to his strained relationship with his own parents, a rift that didn’t start with his coming out, but was widened by that revelation.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
In its report, Variety detailed mounting unpaid bills, strained vendor relationships, and internal turmoil at Row K that’s left employees and clients hanging in the balance after only eight months.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
Millions of motorists across Thailand woke up Thursday to the steepest fuel-price increases in decades after the government moved to rein in subsidies strained by surging global oil costs.
—Randy Thanthong-Knight, Bloomberg, 26 Mar. 2026
In order to pay for their investments, private-equity companies raised money from major financial institutions—but now the viability of those lease payments is coming into question as the hyperscalers’ cash flow is strained.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strained
Adjective
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In his new mock draft, Miller has the Bills picking up a key weapon.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In addition to the original trunk and items on display, the Center for Sacramento History and the history museum created a mock trunk inspired by the original for school programs throughout the region.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The North Huntingdon Township Police Department said the homeowner pulled a gun on the utility worker, who was sent to shut off service, and chased him away from his home on Water Street in Ardara.—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
When Tree City Juice & Smoothie Cafe pulled the plug on its two brick-and-mortar restaurants last year, the closures hit home for Bethany Anderson.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Before the water reaches the membrane, the seawater is typically filtered to remove debris and microorganisms that could clog equipment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Jason Pack, a former FBI analyst, said the story of the evidence gathered in the case must be filtered through the lens of the grieving Gracey family.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Solly Boussidan,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lamarck surely labored over these Romantic effusions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Texas starter Dylan Volantis labored through a long first inning, but a pop-out to catcher Carson Tinney stranded two runners on base.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And no one actually wanted scalding oil dripped onto them from above at a NYE party.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Inside Brothers, student Trip Condon spoke between sips from beer dripped from the spigot of a beer tower.—
Aidan Sadovi,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Times of India found workers in Chirag Dilli, the city’s dumpling-making capital, so stretched for fuel that some had given up on steaming and had turned operations over to chow mein.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In downtown Elgin, a crowd stretched from North Grove Avenue to Foundry Park on Route 31 and a similar event brought out hundreds gathered on Randall Road in South Elgin.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But many of them might have already found that relocating to some countries, or obtaining a second passport in these places, has become harder over the last couple of years as these have tightened residency and descent rules.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Israeli authorities have tightened security across Jerusalem’s Old City, limiting gatherings and restricting access to major religious sites due to fears of violence and missile threats tied to the regional war.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The couple hugged, burying their faces in each other’s shoulders.—
Justin Jouvenal,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Hurley immediately threw his hands into the air in disbelief, hugged assistant coach Mike Nardi and paced the sideline with his suit jacket half off and his jaw dropped.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strained. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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