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
Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
The project drew criticism and concerns from some residents over the strain data centers would place on resources.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 11 May 2026
On energy and technology, a measure called the POWER Act would require data centers — whose power demands have strained the electric grid — to draw from local renewable sources and meet new water and electricity reporting requirements.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, has been centered on eastern Congo.
—Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
The project drew criticism and concerns from some residents over the strain data centers would place on resources.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Verb
Doing so, though, has required additional documentation for each case and strained an already overstretched workforce, leading to delays in approving benefits.
—Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 11 May 2026
On energy and technology, a measure called the POWER Act would require data centers — whose power demands have strained the electric grid — to draw from local renewable sources and meet new water and electricity reporting requirements.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Noun
-
His grandson, Jack Schlossberg, who is running for Congress, never hesitates to remind audiences of his lineage.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
This led Damsgaard’s team to conclude that the oxygen-free tissue likely evolved sometime during the dinosaur era, after the avian lineage had split from crocodiles but hadn’t yet evolved into modern birds.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Consisting of jamesjamesjames, Varg²™, Eurohead, and Skarp, the outfit nakedly endeavors to reappraise the richly earnest sounds of 2010s Swedish EDM, known for its pointillistic, high-octave melodies and counterpoints that, at their best, imbue big-room propulsion with butterflies in the stomach.—
Nathan Evans,
Pitchfork,
12 May 2026
-
The plaintive melodies are mournful yet comforting.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The perpetrators of these crimes are savage animals without a shred of humanity.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
-
That's patently false and not supported by a shred of evidence.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The stress in the bond market is intensifying and showing few signs of abating.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
And that was before the stress on arms began to take its toll league-wide.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
When Evans scored a short-handed goal off the rush, Ruff pulled Lyon for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Junior Aimee Colson led the Raiders in sacksand total flag pulls this season while senior RonNeisha Thomas led in interceptions.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The 11-bed unit, opened in 2005, has a dedicated laboratory and HEPA-filtered, negative-pressure rooms that prevent pathogens from escaping into all patient rooms.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
-
Copalli White Rum is fermented and distilled shortly after cane pressing to preserve volatile aromatic compounds, then minimally filtered and bottled unaged.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The two finished atop a crowded field that also featured Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who both struggled to break through in a GOP contest overshadowed by the feud between the two front-runners.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
-
Mergers might encourage other states to offer similar programs as a way of funnelling more students into struggling four-year campuses.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The pop superstar, 36, stepped out for a wedding dripping in recognizable jewels once owned by one of her latest album's muses, Elizabeth Taylor, while heading to Honey's cocktail bar with her fiancé, Travis Kelce, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Saturday, May 16.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
Check for plumbing leaks, overflowing HVAC drip pans and foundation cracks that allow water or humidity inside, and fix the problem to prevent future moisture issues.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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