strained

UK /stɹeɪ̯nd/ US /stɹeɪ̯nd/

adj 3

Definitions

adj

Forced through a strainer.

Babies don’t seem to like strained peas, even though the puree is easy for them to eat and digest.

Under tension; tense.

Ever since the fight our relation has been strained.

Not natural or spontaneous but done with effort

A strained smile.

Collocations

(adj.) worried and tense

VERBS

be, feel, look, seem, sound

ADV

very

a bit, a little, rather

After the long meeting, he seemed a bit strained but tried to smile anyway.

(adj.) not natural or friendly

VERBS

become, grow

remain

Their relationship remained strained after the argument, despite attempts to talk it through.

ADV

extremely, severely, very

His voice sounded extremely strained as he tried to explain what had happened.

increasingly

a bit, a little, rather, slightly, somewhat

Thesaurus

Synonyms

adjective — struggling for effect

agonistic

adjective — lacking spontaneity

adjective — lacking natural ease

labored
laboured

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

Babies don’t seem to like strained peas, even though the puree is easy for them to eat and digest.

Wiktionary

Ever since the fight our relation has been strained.

Wiktionary

A strained smile.

Wiktionary

I have a strained back.

Tatoeba · #63381

I strained to hear what the President said.

Tatoeba · #275877

The atmosphere became strained when he came.

Tatoeba · #284090

Usage Notes

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