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
Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appétit, 21 Jan. 2025
No product ever tested positive and, despite extensive swabbing during inspection, no positive results related to the outbreak strain were found at the facility.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
The relationship between the two men has been strained for years.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for strain 
Noun
Tariffs also place a heavy strain on the already fragile American restaurant industry.
—Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appétit, 21 Jan. 2025
No product ever tested positive and, despite extensive swabbing during inspection, no positive results related to the outbreak strain were found at the facility.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
The relationship with front line staff in the prisons was also strained during Peters’ tenure.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
The relationship between the two men has been strained for years.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 21 Jan. 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
-
Finally, the whiskey was filtered and bottled at 100.2 proof.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2025
-
The structure will comprise four separate arched timber modules surrounding translucent panels, which will allow light into the pavilion, the effect recalling that of sunlight filtered through foliage.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Kansas City’s defense has struggled to stop quarterback runs.—
Sam Farmer,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Even under better times, Haiti has struggled to pull off elections.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Pro tip: To help avoid freezing pipes, keep garage doors closed, open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors for more air circulation and drip water from faucets.—
Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi,
Axios,
17 Jan. 2025
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The homeless man appears to grab a knife and stabs Pena, who then can be seen fleeing with blood dripping from his neck and face.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The spontaneity of form also allows Thatcher to stretch wholly different creative muscles.—
William Earl,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Companies need to encourage all their employees and applicants to stretch their boundaries, learn new skills and prepare themselves for the jobs of the future.—
Phillip Molnar,
The Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This trend may accelerate as funding tightens for standalone startups.—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Trump is also aiming for a redo on federal rules for tightening standards for tailpipe emissions and a waiver that allows California to adopt air-quality standards that are stricter than federal rules.—
Judith Kohler,
The Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In September 2023, after Swift surprised fans with her first appearance at a Chiefs game in Arrowhead and influencer Alix Earle was seen hugging a Miami Dolphins player on the sidelines, Vogue wondered if fashion and football were a good fit.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Each of the church’s clergy members hugged Brandon, and the congregants raised their hands toward him in a show of support.—
Ellen Moynihan,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The most recent rupture occurred on Sunday, damaging a fiber optic cable connecting Latvia to the Swedish island of Gotland.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Sweden is investigating a cargo ship for deliberately damaging an undersea fiber optic cable in the Baltic Sea.—
Michael Kan,
PCMAG,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near strain
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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