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.
Ian Howard was shocked to get a $1,000 bill for a brief visit to the emergency room that determined he sprained his ankle in a fall last year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
The Dodgers put the final touches on their trade deadline, adding catching depth as Dalton Rushing went on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left elbow.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
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
Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov sprained a ligament in his knee, but he will be ready for training camp.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026
This morning, he limped into our house, slumped in a chair, threw his sprained knee up on the table, and smirked.
From "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
