strain
verb (used with object)
to draw tight or taut, especially to the utmost tension; stretch to the full.
were straining
-
past progressiveof strain.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Thousands of families now risk calls from debt collectors — but officials say their hands were tied: unpaid balances were straining the district’s food service fund, which is federally required to be self-sustaining.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2025
His stance had come amid criticism that the developments were straining an already overwhelmed infrastructure.
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2024
While the economy resumed growing in the last quarter, business investment remained weak and rising prices were straining both corporate and consumer budgets, Darren Tay of Capital Economics said in a report.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2023
In Jacobabad, local health, education and development officials said record temperatures followed by unusually heavy rains were straining vital services.
From Reuters ● Aug. 31, 2022
In their terms, a genius, a god, was loitering on the periphery of their world and they were straining for her attention.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
