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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of strain
Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 4 Apr. 2025
Ertz suffered a quad strain in Week 7, and McBride took over the starting role and never looked back.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
While the White House says these tariffs will foster domestic manufacturing and raise $100 billion in revenue annually, economists stress that straining the auto industry’s global supply chain brings significant disruptions.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Running, walking, or hiking on an incline can also add extra strain, as can beach volleyball or other activities performed on sinking or uneven surfaces.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 4 Apr. 2025
Ertz suffered a quad strain in Week 7, and McBride took over the starting role and never looked back.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
The back-and-forth trade restrictions could lead to higher prices for consumers and businesses, further straining global economic relations.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
While the White House says these tariffs will foster domestic manufacturing and raise $100 billion in revenue annually, economists stress that straining the auto industry’s global supply chain brings significant disruptions.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 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
-
Jefferson’s Reserve Cask Strength is an eight-year-old bourbon that is non-chill filtered and bottled at 130 proof (65 percent ABV).—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
-
More research is needed to determine if this priming has an impact on those who have difficulty filtering out background noise, such as people with hearing loss or ADHD.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Royals struggled to pick up his sweeper and slider combination.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Atlanta's lineup has struggled tremendously this season, and using Elder as a trade piece to bring in a big-time hitter would be pretty smart.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Those morning drip coffees and lattes are going to cost more.—
Isaac Avilucea,
Axios,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Before he could get started on it, however, the gable above the kitchen began dripping water onto a counter.—
Marcela Valdes,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Dark hardwood floors stretch over to the formal dining area, which sits opposite the chef’s kitchen.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Because your stomach stretches, moves, and flexes more than other areas, Ellis notes, navel piercings can be more prone to irritation than other piercings and can have a longer healing process.—
Marianne Mychaskiw,
Allure,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Export controls may also tighten further on strategic minerals.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Italy is drastically tightening its citizenship requirements, ending the dream for many thousands hoping to get an Italian passport through ancestry.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
My friend hugged me quickly and ran off consumed with hosting duties.—
Time,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Ovechkin then hugged team equipment and training staff on the bench and went through a handshake line with the Islanders as crew members set up for the 895 ceremony.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Their son and daughter-in-law, Cameron Bott, 35, and his wife, Diana, 36, whose nearby home was damaged in the tornado, initiated a discussion about starting a GoFundMe to offset potential insurance shortfalls in rebuilding the gas station.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
-
There was a fire in 2023 that damaged part of the nightclub, authorities said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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