1
: done or produced with excessive effort
2
: pushed by antagonism near to open conflict
strained relations

Examples of strained in a Sentence

He made a strained attempt at being polite. I took the complaint manager's strained smile to mean I wasn't a welcome sight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His strained, sandpaper-coarse timbre served as an ideal conduit for songs concerned with boisterous revelries, shady agreements, licentious intentions and musical pleasures. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025 Wallner, who has been on the injured list with a strained hamstring since mid-April, hit two home runs on Thursday in his first rehab game and had another three hits and three RBIs on Friday. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 24 May 2025 During a father-son fishing trip alongside Dawson and his dad (John Wesley Shipp), Pacey's strained relationship with his parent bubbles up. Jen Juneau, People.com, 24 May 2025 Hays was also shelved for 10 days earlier this month with a strained left hamstring. John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for strained

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of strained was circa 1542

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strained. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

strained

adjective
1
: not easy or natural : forced
a strained smile
2
: brought close to war
strained relations between countries

More from Merriam-Webster on strained

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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