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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of strained
Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
But the Republican has had a strained relationship with the Biden administration over its industrial policy, even as some studies have found Georgia has netted more electric vehicle investment than any other state.
—Jeff Amy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Nov. 2024
Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
While Biden's policies and weapons provisions have consistently supported Israel, his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has at times been strained, including by some efforts to restrain Israel or nudge the country toward compliance with international law.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for strained 
Adjective
The love of Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) will see the strained relationship between Glinda and Elphaba shatter, and the gifting of the magical slippers to Dorothy will mark a serious betrayal.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
But the Republican has had a strained relationship with the Biden administration over its industrial policy, even as some studies have found Georgia has netted more electric vehicle investment than any other state.
—Jeff Amy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
The attacks further strained the already fragile ceasefire, which was intended to bring an end to over a year of conflict with Hezbollah.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
While Biden's policies and weapons provisions have consistently supported Israel, his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has at times been strained, including by some efforts to restrain Israel or nudge the country toward compliance with international law.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 9 Nov. 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.Erin Parker, Allure, 4 Dec. 2024
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An over-fluffed tree can look unnatural and disfigure the branches and branch ends of your tree.Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Law enforcement resources might be pulled from other locales to concentrate on where the suspect was last presumably seen.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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In the third quarter, the company pulled 29% of its earnings from its technology division.Brett Owens, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Mango juice dripped down his arm and pooled at his knobby elbows.Brigid Washington, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2024
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Barrymore yelled as chocolate dripped down her chin.EW.com, EW.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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For the full year, Lululemon tightened its revenue guidance and raised it by just a hair.Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
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Smaller competitions have also tightened their requirements in 2024.Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In August 2022, China launched a mock military blockade of Taiwan after Nancy Pelosi became the first serving U.S. House speaker to visit the island in 25 years.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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There are the burgers, wings, tacos and nachos along with craft and mock cocktails, wine and of course beers, which are available in 40-ounce steins.Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Lindsey will be responsible for developing Underwood and revamping an offense that struggled mightily in 2024.Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024
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And for years, boosters have struggled to offer up a satisfactory answer.Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which led the offensive that toppled Assad's government, was previously linked to al-Qaida but has in recent years publicly disavowed international terrorism and tried to present a more moderate face.Juliana Kim, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
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Another scenario is a retreat to familiar methods—doubling down on tried-and-tested networks, even if that means missing emerging openings.Guney Yildiz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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By late afternoon, Fernandez is dozing in his chair, mouth agape, hands clasped in his lap.Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
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Next to De León was a statue of the church’s namesake, Our Lady of Sorrows, hands clasped and face frozen in misery.Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near strained
Cite this Entry
“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strained. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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