1
as in lineages
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
as in melodies
a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect
the strain of an old Irish ballad rose up from the revelers downstairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in splashes
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 types
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 stresses
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
as in pulls
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure
in order to lift something heavy, squat down and lift with your legs, or you'll strain your back
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in filters
to pass through a filter
better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in struggles
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 drips
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 stretches
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 hugs
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 strains
Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The strains have changed, and older children have built up a certain level of immunity now that COVID-19 has been around for over five years.
—Pia Pannaraj, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Legacy sells 16 strains of cannabis flower and vapes and carts from the White Earth Nation.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 17 Sep. 2025
That’s because the flu vaccine formula changes every year based on predictions from global health experts about which viral strains will circulate in the upcoming season.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
However, amid the confusion of new strains, changing vaccine guidelines and cuts to vaccine development funding, the CDC continues to track cases, hospitalizations and deaths on a weekly basis.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Some strains are now capable of identifying and bypassing backups, targeting critical systems first and spreading laterally across devices and networks.
—Ro'ee Margalit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Inflation remains stubbornly elevated in 2025, above the Federal Reserve's 2 percent target and adding to the financial strains already facing Americans.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
But at a time when strains of anti-intellectualism are on display in pockets of society, and at a time when all else in the world feels overwhelming, Yeo says she’s moved to see people express so much interest in educational pursuits.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
What are the symptoms of current COVID-19 strains?
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Disengaged operators take shortcuts and postpone investments, perpetuating the cycle that strains corporate cash flow.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Changing vaccine guidelines and cuts to vaccine development funding have added to the confusion of new COVID-19 strains.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025
There have also been big outbreaks in Africa of the other mpox strains.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Chen is the wraith-like heart of this story, but her character strains belief even in a shaky hand of a movie that operates with all the internal logic of a gambling addiction.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Her rough vocal take is filled with hurt; Williams strains her voice as each word turns into a yell.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
For those who are unfamiliar, Four Roses uses two different mashbills and five different yeast strains to produce its whiskey, yielding the 10 different recipes mentioned earlier.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
Similar to the flu vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccines are updated annually to provide better protection against the strains of the virus circulating during each year's respiratory virus season.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The strains have changed, and older children have built up a certain level of immunity now that COVID-19 has been around for over five years.
—Pia Pannaraj, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Legacy sells 16 strains of cannabis flower and vapes and carts from the White Earth Nation.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 17 Sep. 2025
That’s because the flu vaccine formula changes every year based on predictions from global health experts about which viral strains will circulate in the upcoming season.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
However, amid the confusion of new strains, changing vaccine guidelines and cuts to vaccine development funding, the CDC continues to track cases, hospitalizations and deaths on a weekly basis.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Some strains are now capable of identifying and bypassing backups, targeting critical systems first and spreading laterally across devices and networks.
—Ro'ee Margalit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Inflation remains stubbornly elevated in 2025, above the Federal Reserve's 2 percent target and adding to the financial strains already facing Americans.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
But at a time when strains of anti-intellectualism are on display in pockets of society, and at a time when all else in the world feels overwhelming, Yeo says she’s moved to see people express so much interest in educational pursuits.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
This demand strains existing power grids and often requires construction of new power generation capacity, frequently from natural gas plants.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
What are the symptoms of current COVID-19 strains?
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Disengaged operators take shortcuts and postpone investments, perpetuating the cycle that strains corporate cash flow.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Changing vaccine guidelines and cuts to vaccine development funding have added to the confusion of new COVID-19 strains.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025
There have also been big outbreaks in Africa of the other mpox strains.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Chen is the wraith-like heart of this story, but her character strains belief even in a shaky hand of a movie that operates with all the internal logic of a gambling addiction.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Her rough vocal take is filled with hurt; Williams strains her voice as each word turns into a yell.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
For those who are unfamiliar, Four Roses uses two different mashbills and five different yeast strains to produce its whiskey, yielding the 10 different recipes mentioned earlier.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strains
Verb
-
Open Edit Satin Midi Skirt Equal parts sleek and versatile, this satin midi skirt is one of those rare finds that packs light but pulls heavy duty.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Coach Bart pulls the boy aside.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Kül unit filters and removes over 80 contaminants for clean and safe water.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
When looking for an atmosphere, astronomers wait for a planet to transit in front of its star and notice any minor changes in the starlight that filters through.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In recent decades, as China has laid down vast networks of high-speed rail and thrown up shimmering cities, Americans have developed a deepening sense that their own country struggles to get things done.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
He was sacked six times by a team that struggles to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kirsh drips with chilly, sneering contempt for the non-mechanical.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Brown removes his hooded sweatshirt and walks to another end of the train car as blood drips onto the floor behind him.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Applying the same to retail traders, however, stretches the rule beyond its intent and poses more of a misclassification risk than a clear obligation.—
Robert Green,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The plan for the roadway that stretches across the Hagginwood and Del Paso Heights neighborhoods of North Sacramento will later go before the City Council for approval.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Veling also thinks once the inventory tightens, prices will either stabilize or begin another run up, depending on the supply-and-demand dynamics for each local market.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The warning comes as Washington also tightens restrictions on Chinese vehicles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Covered in concrete and lost to time for decades, the vats were rediscovered and excavated in 2016 within a building that hugs the Kentucky River.—
Robin Roenker,
Southern Living,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants hugs Malik Nabers #1 after the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on December 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chronic financial stress raises cortisol levels, which, over time, damages the immune system, increases risk for hypertension and heart disease and worsens mental health.—
Dr. Melissa Weathersby,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
In particular, a significant amount of rubble is visible in the streets of Jabalya and Sheikh Radwan, apparently caused by direct fire that damages the sides of buildings without appearing on satellite imagery.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strains. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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