strained
5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for strained, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Tense, forced, or lacking in ease, especially describing a relationship or expression.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use strained
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
strained relationship
strained smile
strained relations
Frequently asked questions
What does “strained” mean?
The word “strained” means tense, forced, or lacking in ease, especially describing a relationship or expression. In plain terms, tense and uneasy, not natural or relaxed — or, of food, put through a sieve.
How do you pronounce “strained”?
“Strained” is pronounced straynd (/stɹeɪ̯nd/ in IPA).
How do you use “strained” in a sentence?
Here is “strained” used in a sentence: “There was a strained silence after the announcement.”
What part of speech is “strained”?
“Strained” is an adjective.
Is “strained” a common word?
“Strained” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “strained” have?
“Strained” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: tense, forced, or lacking in ease, especially describing a relationship or expression.
