sprain
verb (used with object)
to overstrain or wrench (the ligaments of an ankle, wrist, or other joint) so as to injure without fracture or dislocation.
sprained
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past participleof sprain.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof sprain.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
sprainverb (used with object)to overstrain or wrench (the ligaments of an ankle, wrist, or other joint) so as to injure without fracture or dislocation.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In January 1851, Ulysses S. Grant, then an Army quartermaster, slipped on an icy sidewalk in Detroit and sprained his leg.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
Oklahoma City All-Star Jalen Williams has missed games with a hamstring injury, and San Antonio All-Star De’Aaron Fox is limping through contests on a sprained ankle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026
Thomas was taken to hospital, where he said he was lucky to only suffer "sprained ankles and minor stuff".
From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2026
Surely they were lucky that star Kevin Durant didn’t play in two of these three games, including missing Friday’s Game 3 with a sprained ankle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2026
“But I would have canceled later — faked an illness or a sprained ankle.”
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
