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
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
The bones in my hands ache with the strain.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 18 Sep. 2025
As Israel’s largest trading partner, the bloc’s actions could hit its economy hard, already strained by months of conflict.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Also listed as questionable for the 49ers was wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder, ankle) and in a surprise, rookie guard Connor Colby, who came out of Thursday’s practice with a groin strain.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
The bones in my hands ache with the strain.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
This buildup can strain blood vessels and directly raise blood pressure, Krumholz said.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 18 Sep. 2025
As Israel’s largest trading partner, the bloc’s actions could hit its economy hard, already strained by months of conflict.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
What lingers are the fragments that weren’t rehearsed, a voice breaking, a note pulled from the back of a notebook, a chant that filled the room, a line spoken more to a spouse than to the cameras.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Bolt-action rifles, prized for reliability, require the operator to pull the trigger for one round before manually chambering another round.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This includes serving as a sewage station for your body—filtering and detoxing your blood, breaking down old red blood cells and recycling their iron—and a manufacturing plant of sorts—making key proteins and immune system cells, storing vitamins and minerals and processing your nutrients.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Through this aperture, sunlight could filter all the way down to the church floor.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Livonia bread staple West Fenkell Bakery permanently closed its doors on Middlebelt Road near Five Mile, after owners struggled to make ends meet in the midst of renegotiating a contract for its building.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Atlanta struggled out of the gate, trailing by six after the first quarter, after being outscored 14-0 from the 3-point and free-throw lines combined.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The green beans are cooked directly beneath the pork bellies on the pit so the rendering juices drip down over them, imparting a kiss of sweet smokiness.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
-
An initial jolt of spicy pink pepper dissipates to reveal a rose dripping in honeyed, ambery sweetness, while its leathery base adds strength, dimension, and something a little bit naughty to this fruity-floral triumph of a scent.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Attempts to formalize English at the federal level stretch back decades.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to policing the two demonstrations, the London force was stretched by high-profile soccer matches and concerts.—
Vitalii Yalahuzian,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s certainly no doubt that currently, the market is crying out for innovative digital accessibility products more than ever due to an ever-tightening global regulatory framework.—
Gus Alexiou,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
As the biomaterials space navigates a more turbulent landscape marked by tightening budgets, regulatory uncertainty, and investor caution, Biofabricate is adapting its approach.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Takekoshi gradually built on this mission introducing capsule collections of easy-to-approach pieces that could be effortlessly mixed and matched and introducing also more fluid designs as an alternative to Wolford’s renowned body-hugging ones.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
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Lord John realizing he’s being held at gunpoint; a building burning; Jamie hugging Marsali and Claire tending bees.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Using abrasive cleaner or products with harsh chemicals can damage the beautiful material and lead to a less-than-pretty tub.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
-
But posting on social media leaves a record, and in times of escalating political polarization, those declarations can be seen as damaging to the reputation of an individual or their employer.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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