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strained

strained

36 4.2
Appearing not natural and tense, often like a forced smile
  • adjective
  • /streɪnd/
: tenso
  • The athlete's performance suffered due to a strained muscle in his leg.
  • as strained

And the relationship, the the strained relationship with your adoptive brother.

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Examples

  • And I come around in the book and I say, if you've had a strained relationship with your kids and you're desperate to see your grandchildren, my answer is grovel.

  • They had plans to marry this May, but now Marc Anthony says their relationship is strained because they don't seem to have the same priorities.

  • So it was just so like my eyes felt so strained after such a long time of reading.

  • And the relationship, the the strained relationship with your adoptive brother.

  • But as darkness fell, he heard strained sobs in the night air.

  • After hours of staring at the computer screen, my eyes felt strained and tired.

  • He maintained a strained smile during the tense meeting.

Synonyms

tense
vsstrained
247 3.6

Feeling nervous and unable to relax

is about an overall not natural look that may include stress and tension
stressed
vsstrained
225 2.7

Feeling worried and unable to relax because of pressure

is milder, focusing on visible unease and not natural behaviour rather than severe strain
forced
vsstrained
174 3.4

Done because someone makes you do it, not because you want to

is about internal signs of tension and an unnatural appearance rather than external compulsion
taut
vsstrained
28 4.8

Stretched tight and showing physical or emotional tension

is broader and covers any uneasy or not natural appearance, not only tightness
labored
vsstrained
  • US
13 6.1

Not natural or smooth and done with effort

is similar but highlights general unease and forced quality rather than effort alone
constrained
vsstrained
5 6.7

Looks or sounds unnatural because someone is holding back

is about visible tension and being not relaxed rather than mere inhibition
overstrung
vsstrained
1 8.2

Feeling very nervous and tense because of worry

is less extreme and covers any forced or tense appearance rather than high nerves

Antonyms

426 1.0

Normal and healthy for the body or mind

216 1.0

Calm and not worried

How Tense

stressed
225 2.7
tense
247 3.6
strained
36 4.2
uneasy
92 3.2
relaxed
216 1.0

Surface Forms

strained positive

Morphology

strained = strain (transparent) = strain + ed

Regular participial formation from the verb 'strain' giving an adjective meaning 'showing tension' which is directly predictable from the base verb.

Etymology

Strained comes from an old idea of being 'stretched' or 'pulled tight', the same idea you see in string. So when something looks strained, it feels like a tight muscle or a forced smile, not relaxed.