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
Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
This is a picture of strong thighs and strain, one that makes evident all the work that goes into a human construction that might collapse at any moment.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 24 Oct. 2025
Just remember to strain out the skins before serving.
—Cathy Cassata, Health, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
Meanwhile, production bottlenecks, labor shortages, tighter government spending, and the lack of Western technology are increasingly causing strains in the economy, Prokopenko said.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
This is a picture of strong thighs and strain, one that makes evident all the work that goes into a human construction that might collapse at any moment.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Food pantries strained by record demand For most recipients, SNAP funds only last for part of the month.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 24 Oct. 2025
Just remember to strain out the skins before serving.
—Cathy Cassata, Health, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Verb
-
The pair took their Clueless looks to the next level by posing in front of a white Jeep just like the one driven by Cher in the movie — with Kim pouting at the wheel as North pulled a shocked face.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Within seconds, several officers pull her toward the entrance of the facility as others move to hold back the crowd.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And not having to filter out bugs and debris from a shallow puddle is also rare.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
My favorite is amber mode, which has a warm glow that filters 99% of blue light.—
Erin Mayer,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In my experience, this is especially true in the lonely hours of the night while struggling with chronic pain.—
Joni Eareckson Tada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
After an effort to create a Falls of the Ohio national park fell short in 1967, Kentucky and Indiana officials struggled to stop the falls from becoming a garbage dump.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hadid's looks for the night included a lace lingerie piece dripping in silver fringe and a red hot satin bra with a matching garter and underwear, along with a floor-sweeping robe.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
And twenty miles across the fjord’s channel, three sea kayakers camping on high ground woke up to ocean water dripping into their tent, their gear strewn across the shore.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Food banks and pantries, meanwhile, have already seen an uptick in need but resources are stretched thin.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Plus, the legs are curved, providing more space to stretch out.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Keep the handle away from your torso with slightly bent arms, and brace your core by gently tightening your abdominal muscles.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Sixty-three percent (63%) of respondents say their financial situation has worsened over the past 12 months, and 65% report their grocery budgets have tightened.—
Darin Detwiler,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The boots hugged the actress’ legs, but were a bit slouchy around the knees.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Pitcher Kevin Gausman scooped up his two daughters before hugging his wife, Taylor Gausman.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Cuomo has sought to cast Mamdani, a 34-year-old state assemblymember, as a naive candidate whose agenda would damage the city.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The three suspects damaged property and smashed several iPads taken from a special education classroom, according to a Facebook post by the Chandler Police Department.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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