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
Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
While Wagner is off the team’s injury report after making his return Wednesday, Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal strain) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) remain out for Friday’s contest.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Experts have also warned that the cost of bottled water will soon increase, as the oil crisis strains the plastics industry.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Trump has repeatedly downplayed the economic pressure the war has placed on Americans, including rising gas prices, arguing that the short-term financial strain is necessary for national security.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
While Wagner is off the team’s injury report after making his return Wednesday, Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal strain) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) remain out for Friday’s contest.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Noem’s warehouse plan sparked fierce community opposition over fears of ICE facilities straining local infrastructure and the moral implications of detention centers.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Experts have also warned that the cost of bottled water will soon increase, as the oil crisis strains the plastics industry.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
-
After Giants shortstop Willy Adames' throw on Semien's infield single pulled first baseman Jerar Encarnacion off the bag, third baseman Chapman made a throwing error that allowed one run to score.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 1995, Citizen officially called their proprietary tech the Eco-Drive and released its Eco-Drive Calibre 7878 that had the solar cell mounted underneath the dial using a non-transparent surface that allows non-visible light to filter through.—
David Szondy
March 28,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The system then evaluates and refines those ideas, filtering out any that are not novel.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps those June friendlies in Florida will give him one more chance to experiment, but the simple reality is that any Kane-less plan will struggle to get off the ground.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The waiver was established by the TEA to provide additional flexibility to go out of state to find qualified leaders to right the ships of struggling districts.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 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
-
Many people have built their routines around the restaurant, around its Traditional Southern Breakfast and drip coffee and sugary cinnamon rolls, Park said.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trolley lines move across the city, stretching as far West as the Darby Transit Center and back East toward 13th street.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the courtyard, the hotel’s signature Mariposa (Spanish for butterfly) sculpture stretches overhead like a modern butterfly wing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Iran appeared to tighten its grip on the strait on Thursday, when its media reported that the government is drafting a protocol with Oman to monitor traffic.—
Arsalan Shahla,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Luke Evangelista scored the only goal of the shootout in the eighth round, and the Nashville Predators tightened the Western Conference playoff race with a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The couple hugged, burying their faces in each other’s shoulders.—
Justin Jouvenal,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Bay Harbor consists of two islands hugging the Broad Causeway, which stretches just west of Bal Harbour to North Miami.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a social media post on Monday morning, Kuwait said a service building at a power generation and water desalination plant were damaged in an attack Sunday evening, killing one worker.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
At least 12 residents have been displaced after a three-alarm fire heavily damaged five homes in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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