strained

[streynd]

adjective

1. affected or produced by effort; not natural or spontaneous; forced.

   strained hospitality.

strained

/ streɪnd /

adjective

1. (of an action, performance, etc) not natural or spontaneous

2. (of an atmosphere, relationship, etc) not relaxed; tense

Other Word Forms

• strainedly adverb
• strainedness noun
• well-strained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of strained¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; strain ¹, -ed ²

Example Sentences

Some of the best albums of 2025 came from visionaries who strained against their limitations to realize a work beyond what they themselves once imagined possible.

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In passing, Blanc alludes to a strained relationship with his own religious mother, which is as much personal backstory as he’s willing to confess.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

If you’re living in a high fire hazard area, the philosophy goes, it is your responsibility to defend your property and keep yourself alive amid strained fire resources.

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“Suddenly, the health-care system on which I relied felt strained, shaky.”

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"Suddenly, the healthcare system on which I relied felt strained, shaky."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• constrained 
• labored 
• stiff 
• tense 
• tight 
• uneasy