1
: done or produced with excessive effort
2
: pushed by antagonism near to open conflict
strained relations
Synonyms
Examples of strained in a Sentence
He made a strained attempt at being polite.
I took the complaint manager's strained smile to mean I wasn't a welcome sight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Randle also is out for the next few weeks because of a strained groin.
—
Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
The team announced Wednesday that Randle has a strained adductor and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
James and Doncic, who is close to a return from a strained calf that has sidelined him since late December, sat next to each other and talked and laughed at times.
—Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
Mahomes, a Texas native who was spotted at this past season’s NBA Finals rooting for the Mavericks, wrote on X.
Doncic has not played for Dallas since Christmas after exiting the game with a strained left calf.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for strained 
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Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
The team announced Wednesday that Randle has a strained adductor and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
James and Doncic, who is close to a return from a strained calf that has sidelined him since late December, sat next to each other and talked and laughed at times.
—Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
Mahomes, a Texas native who was spotted at this past season’s NBA Finals rooting for the Mavericks, wrote on X.
Doncic has not played for Dallas since Christmas after exiting the game with a strained left calf.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for strained
Dictionary Entries Near strained
Cite this Entry
“Strained.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strained. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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