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Synonyms

strained

American  
[streynd] / streɪnd /

adjective

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

    strained hospitality.


strained British  
/ streɪnd /

adjective

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

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • strainedly adverb
  • strainedness noun
  • well-strained adjective

Etymology

Origin of strained

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

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.

Cakarel said some business and creative relationships are still strained, but the company is bringing at least six movies to next month’s Cannes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Luka Doncic is receiving medical treatment in Europe to repair a strained hamstring with the hope of returning to the Lakers before the playoffs start.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Relations strained further when US troops killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil in 2011 without telling Islamabad, and Pakistan faced accusations of complicity in harbouring the fugitive.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The disruption to global shipments caused by the war in the Middle East has strained cooking gas supplies in India.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

He strained his neck to see the street sign, but it was too late.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste