strained
Americanadjective
adjective
-
(of an action, performance, etc) not natural or spontaneous
-
(of an atmosphere, relationship, etc) not relaxed; tense
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.
Iran is a smaller exporter than Russia, and current global supply-demand conditions are less strained.
From Barron's
“Paying all of the medical bills strained our finances as well.”
From Los Angeles Times
The ropes strained and the mule teams pulled them back toward Rochester at two miles an hour.
From Literature
In his Wednesday speech, Kim said if his nation’s nuclear program were respected he saw “no reason” why U.S. relations would be strained, referring to a “peaceful coexistence.”
I couldn’t see them, but I strained to hear their voices.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
