adjective

strained

straynd

adjective

Tense, forced, or lacking in ease, especially describing a relationship or expression.

"There was a strained silence after the announcement."

"Relations between the two countries remain strained."

Passed through a strainer or sieve.

"Baby food is usually strained to a smooth texture."

How to Use Strained

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTense and uneasy, not natural or relaxed — or, of food, put through a sieve.

Common pairings

strained relationship strained smile strained relations

more strained comparative, most strained superlative

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There was a _____ silence after the announcement.

lined mined ruined pained refined stained defined trained drained chained ordained inclined