to strain

Examples

• All

• Things have been so strained with him lately ever since I let Blake move in.

  Obsession: Stalked by My Lover (2020)

• During the group's early sessions, Andrea spoke openly about her strained relationship with her brother, with whom she lived.

  Academic text (2008)

• Otto looked a little strained tonight.

  Lovesick (1983)

• Too often, relations are strained or broken when patience wears out.

  Academic text (2011)

• For several minutes, both terrified women strained their ears to pick up the slightest sound.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The first time he met her in Nona's office, her low, strained tone suggested acute worry.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Our relationship is... strained.

  In Her Skin (2009)

• Poverty-related diseases are on the rise, placing a greater burden on strained public resources.

  Academic text (2011)

• Silence does not seem as suffocating because I wait patiently while she strains to find each word.

• Relations between the two communities were strained, with some villagers advocating a complete separation.

  Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

W

to worry

vsto strain

187 1.0

To make someone feel nervous or upset about possible problems

creates general nervousness or tension without focusing on specific problems

T

to tense

vsto strain

32 4.0

To make the body or muscles tight and unable to relax

focuses on causing emotional tension or anxiety rather than physical tightness

S

to stress

vsto strain

13 3.4

To make someone or something work near its limits

causes nervousness or anxiety rather than primarily testing capacity or limits

T

to tense up

vsto strain

• Informal

11 3.7

To make your muscles tight when you feel nervous

causes general tension or anxiety rather than sudden stiffening

W

to weigh on someone's mind

vsto strain

6 6.0

To make someone feel worried for a long time

produces tension or nervousness that can be immediate rather than long lasting

D

to discomfort

vsto strain

1 4.3

To make someone feel uneasy or anxious

creates stronger tension or clear nervousness rather than mild unease

O

to overwind

vsto strain

1 7.9

To make someone feel very nervous and upset

causes tension or anxiety but not necessarily excessive intensity

Antonyms

R

to reassure

123 3.4

To make someone feel less worried and more confident

Idioms

S

to strain at a gnat

• Informal

1 9.9

To focus too much on small details and ignore bigger problems

S

to strain every nerve

• Informal

1 7.2

Try as hard as possible to do something

S

to strain at the leash

• Informal

1 7.1

To want to start doing something very eagerly while being held back

Compounds

V

virulent strain

• Specialized

2 6.5

A very strong germ that spreads easily and makes people very sick

E

eye strain

2 3.2

Eyes that feel tired or sore after looking at screens for too long

M

mental strain

1 5.1

A feeling of worry and tiredness after thinking for a long time

S

strain in someone's back

1 4.0

A pain in the back muscles that comes after lifting or sudden movement

N

nervous strain

1 5.8

A feeling of being very nervous and tired after a long time of stress

S

strain gauge

• Specialized

1 6.3

A small object that measures how much a surface stretches or bends

S

strain gage

• Specialized

6.1

A tool that measures how much a material changes shape when pushed or pulled

How Stressed

to overwhelm

63 3.9

to stress

85 2.7

to strain

19 3.9

to upset

273 1.0

to worry

187 1.0

to concern

77 2.7

to bother

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology