1
as in pulling
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
Relevance
2
as in filtering
to pass through a filter
better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in struggling
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 dripping
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 stretching
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
as in tightening
to draw tight
the dog strained its leash trying to get to the cat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in hugging
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 straining
Additionally, because participants’ behavior was self-reported, time spent on the toilet and straining could be affected by recall bias.
—
New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent tariffs on imports are already straining supply chains in the pool and spa industry.
—Rick Morris, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The study results suggest the issue is most likely the time spent sitting on the toilet rather than straining, Pasricha said.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
The closure of a Pick ‘n Save in Milwaukee's Metcalfe Park neighborhood is straining local businesses and daycare providers.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In just one weekend, 12 water rescue incidents were reported across the Chicago area, further straining resources.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
What begins as a chronicle of her parents, sister, and children’s efforts to secure her return, becomes a portrait of conflicting impulses towards anger, vengeance, and compassion, straining the bonds of one grieving family.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
These movements supplement therapeutic exercises without straining your joints.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Nike is estimating over $1 billion in additional costs from duties on imports, straining EBITDA margins further (currently around 14%).
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent tariffs on imports are already straining supply chains in the pool and spa industry.
—Rick Morris, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The study results suggest the issue is most likely the time spent sitting on the toilet rather than straining, Pasricha said.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
The closure of a Pick ‘n Save in Milwaukee's Metcalfe Park neighborhood is straining local businesses and daycare providers.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In just one weekend, 12 water rescue incidents were reported across the Chicago area, further straining resources.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
What begins as a chronicle of her parents, sister, and children’s efforts to secure her return, becomes a portrait of conflicting impulses towards anger, vengeance, and compassion, straining the bonds of one grieving family.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
These movements supplement therapeutic exercises without straining your joints.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Nike is estimating over $1 billion in additional costs from duties on imports, straining EBITDA margins further (currently around 14%).
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining
Verb
-
Instead, his impact, like pulling children into his winner's circle, will continue to be honored by other tracks.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Carpenter spoke with Morning Edition host Leila Fadel about the challenges of relationships, her controversial album cover, which depicts her kneeling beside a man who is pulling her hair, and the new songs featured on the album.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Key Takeaways IgA nephropathy is a progressive disease where immune proteins damage the kidneys' filtering units.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The Amiron 200 has two microphones for clear voice pickup and call quality, consistently filtering out distracting ambient noises using ENC.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even with Muchová so clearly struggling, Osaka faced some weird jeopardy down the stretch.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
However, even people who have these more 'substantial' degrees are struggling.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The new collections reimagine the classic Bird on a Rock motif, brought to life by Jean Schlumberger in 1965, and takes its design cues from a bird’s wing, as well as the layered look of a bird’s plumage, to create graceful, sculptural pieces dripping in diamonds and other gemstones.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
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An ice machine in the middle of the room had a drain line dripping into a 5-gallon bucket.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Complimentary activities range from morning stretching with a sea breeze to late-afternoon volleyball in the sand to learning about local culture through a Boduberu drum session.—
Katie Lockhart,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
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Across eight episodes, Levy explores eight countries—Austria, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Mexico, South Korea and the United States—touching down in dreamy, horizon-stretching destinations that broaden his perspective, as well as his viewers’ outlook.—
Laura Manske,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Southwest Airlines is tightening its refund policy for plus-size passengers who purchase an extra seat.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Texas lawmakers left Austin late Wednesday night without passing a THC ban or tightening restrictions on the booming industry.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Frankie finally returned home, Beau couldn't contain his joy, jumping for joy and hugging his best friend.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
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Layered on top of this is the Northern Sea Route, a shipping lane hugging the Russian coast in the Arctic that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, chops down transit times and helps Moscow transport hydrocarbons to key markets, including in Asia.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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During that season Clark was laboring to teach all his defensive linemen a new technique to use, and players would have to film themselves working on it, and send it into the coaches.—
Omar Kelly
August 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Aug. 2025
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Wall Street economists are fixated on identifying tariff effects, yet stocks either celebrated or shrugged off three warm and sticky inflation readings this week, laboring to hold near record highs.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straining. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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