1
as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
descended from a strain of Irish seafarers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in shred
a very small amount
detected a strain of panic in her voice when she asked if the substance was poisonous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common
writes mystery novels of a more sophisticated strain
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in stress
the burden on one's emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one's time
the family's constant moving is putting a real strain on the children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to struggle
to devote serious and sustained effort
the whole department is straining to complete the project before the deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to drip
to flow forth slowly through small openings
put the cooked fruit in a cheesecloth bag and let the juice strain into a pan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to stretch
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
strained her memory but the name just wouldn't come to her
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
7
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
the woman tenderly strained to her breast the child that she had long ago given up for dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strain
Dorany Pineda,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2026
Warehouse teams also deal with tight schedules and physical strain.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2026
J.d. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
28 June 2026
Oat milk retains some of that beta-glucan, but the filtration process strains out a significant portion of heart-healthy soluble beta-glucan fiber.
—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Noun
This happens when your body’s temperature gets too hot and is accompanied by significant strain from intense exercise on a sizzling day.
—
Dorany Pineda,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2026
Warehouse teams also deal with tight schedules and physical strain.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2026
Verb
But some experts argue mass AC would strain energy grids, threatening blackouts, and would carry environmental costs.
—
J.d. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
28 June 2026
Oat milk retains some of that beta-glucan, but the filtration process strains out a significant portion of heart-healthy soluble beta-glucan fiber.
—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for strain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strain
Noun
-
Future investment must prioritize data infrastructure, as robust data lineage will be a key competitive moat for physical AI's advancement.
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And whereas Fischer described without judgment the family patterns, social customs, and religious lineage of his four groups, Reynolds contrasts his two on ideological and ultimately moral grounds.
Noun
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The tempo is jagged and slow, and O’Farrill only teases out the melody throughout as if to question the jubilance of the original.
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From the streets to the sheets, West Coast prodigy Blxst has turned his pain and passion into profit by masterfully blending melodies with bars.
Noun
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The rest of the band followed his lead, particularly Green, a relentless head-banger, dropping to her knees to become one with the feedback and leaning back into beatific shred-faces.
-
There's one day left of food in the fridge, a flood in the basement, a hole in the ceiling and a group of people who are clinging to the last shreds of hope for the future.
Noun
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Peter Gendelman, a Caesarea region expert from the IAA, said the discovery was the first of its kind in roughly three decades.
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Lands’ statement gives no indication of how NPS officials concluded the liner was cut using a knife of some kind.
Noun
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If stress builds, schedule a short stretch break and set softer deadlines where possible, because kindness to your body supports reliable output.
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Always packing a portable charger is key to ensuring a stress-free travel day, which flight attendants can’t recommend more.
Verb
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Fire alarms sounded after a resident pulled the alarm, prompting crews to evacuate buildings as a precaution.
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Sorloth played high, facilitating Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard to rotate wide and pull deeper to get on the ball.
Verb
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With his first ball after the announcement filtered out, Stokes sent down a delivery that was edged by New Zealand batter Zak Foulkes to second slip where the catch was taken by Harry Brook, the man likely to take over as England test captain.
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Sunlight filtered in through the trees, lighting up lush green moss.
Verb
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Amid the mutiny in the House, Johnson canceled unrelated votes, struggling to get enough support to move the legislation.
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The Pirates posted a six-run fifth inning against struggling starter Aaron Nola (3-5).
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strain. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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