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

Analysts warn that permanent layoffs could cripple key agencies and deepen dysfunction in an already strained federal system.

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But paying it down has strained borrowers of all ages.

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Even the very wealthy fret over everything from strained family dynamics and outliving their savings to the specter of inflation and the prospect of missing the next big investment trend.

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Li's visit came as the neighbours seek to maintain a close relationship despite periods of strained ties between China and North Korea over Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

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Homeowner satisfaction with how insurers handle property claims this year has been strained by “the sheer volume of catastrophic events, history of widespread premium increases and slow repair cycle times,” according to surveys by J.D.

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Related Words

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