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.
Or they didn’t think that the city should be burning tens of millions of dollars to send fire trucks “to every overdose, every sprained ankle, every toothache,” as Mr. Pratt has said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, the WNBA’s leading scorer, sprained her ankle during practice and will be reevaluated next week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 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
Reyne had sprained his ankle packing, plus his shoe got stolen, he said, so the sidewalk was as far as he had gotten.
From Slate ● Mar. 25, 2026
I used to jump down from the top, but one fall and a sprained ankle stopped me from doing that again.
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
