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strains

  • present tense form
    of strain (3rd person singular).
    strain
    verb (used with object)
    to draw tight or taut, especially to the utmost tension; stretch to the full.

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.

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Unlike many antibiotics, which can act against a broad range of bacteria, phages typically target particular bacterial species or even individual strains.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026

“It strains credulity to believe that immigration officer Ortiz has zero text messages related to this incident,” attorneys wrote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

Posing to the strains of the familiar World Cup anthem World in Union.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

And they’re bearing the brunt of the system’s strains.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

Papa had just checkmated Jaja when we heard the martial music on the radio, the solemn strains making us stop to listen.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie