1
as in pulling
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure
in order to lift something heavy, squat down and lift with your legs, or you'll strain your back
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in filtering
to pass through a filter
better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in struggling
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 dripping
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 stretching
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
as in tightening
to draw tight
the dog strained its leash trying to get to the cat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in hugging
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 straining
Add ingredients to shaking tin and shake hard for 10 seconds then pour it directly into a rocks glass without straining.
—
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026
Some audience members shout callouts, but not loudly or consistently enough to register, leaving the cast awkwardly straining to acknowledge jokes that barely land.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are also straining US weapons production, expanding opportunities for Japan.
—CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
This practice reduces straining and prevents waste from lingering, which helps sustain your microbiome health.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 16 Apr. 2026
Iran internet blackout enters 46th day, straining economy Web traffic in the country is around 1% of prewar levels; Starlink is blocked using military-grade jamming, Tom’s Hardware reported, and possession of a terminal is a crime anyway.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Rather than use a standard shopping basket or bag, the man’s backpack appeared to be bulging at the seams — its straps straining under the weight of unidentified and clearly heavy cargo.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Homelessness is another of California’s most urgent crises, touching every community and straining every county’s capacity.
—Susan Ellenberg, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Higher oil prices are straining import-dependent economies, while currency volatility is forcing some central banks to intervene more actively in foreign exchange markets, said market watchers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026
Some audience members shout callouts, but not loudly or consistently enough to register, leaving the cast awkwardly straining to acknowledge jokes that barely land.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are also straining US weapons production, expanding opportunities for Japan.
—CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
This practice reduces straining and prevents waste from lingering, which helps sustain your microbiome health.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 16 Apr. 2026
Iran internet blackout enters 46th day, straining economy Web traffic in the country is around 1% of prewar levels; Starlink is blocked using military-grade jamming, Tom’s Hardware reported, and possession of a terminal is a crime anyway.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Rather than use a standard shopping basket or bag, the man’s backpack appeared to be bulging at the seams — its straps straining under the weight of unidentified and clearly heavy cargo.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Homelessness is another of California’s most urgent crises, touching every community and straining every county’s capacity.
—Susan Ellenberg, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Higher oil prices are straining import-dependent economies, while currency volatility is forcing some central banks to intervene more actively in foreign exchange markets, said market watchers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straining
Verb
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All of which is great news for Adam Silver and everyone else pulling a paycheck from the league.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Seated calf raises can lower post-meal blood sugar spikes by gradually pulling glucose from the bloodstream.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shade cloths also reduce evaporation for plants that get stressed in hot, sunny climates by filtering about half the sunlight.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In the second phase, nine women were eligible for multiple filtering cycles.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the city morphs into a luxury tourist destination, struggling small businesses are pushing to retain the character that drew many tourists in the first place.—
Laura Millan,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Queso dripping all over the meat and other toppings is so much more fun.—
Aly Walansky,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
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Always place the package on a plate or inside a container—raw meat dripping onto produce or leftovers is one of the most common sources of cross-contamination in the home kitchen.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For a century, the 2,448 mile road stretching across eight states and three time zones has been synonymous with mom-and-pop diners and America’s Heartland.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Olivia Rodrigo has announced North American and European tour dates stretching from the fall into 2027.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
American Airlines is tightening battery rules, requiring chargers to stay visible and accessible during flights.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Other interventions, like non-surgical or surgical skin tightening procedures, can be helpful complements, too.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Kardashians reality star made her Paris runway debut at the Balenciaga Couture show in July 2022, alongside Nicole Kidman and Naomi Campbell in a body-hugging black dress.—
Emily Kirkpatrick,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
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Russini resigned from The Athletic earlier this month amid mounting criticism over her relationship with Vrabel, the New England Patriots’ head coach, after being photographed hugging and holding hands at a private resort in Sedona, Arizona.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For the rest of us, the construction kickoff means delay upon delay as streets, avenues and roads are awash with heavy equipment and construction workers laboring with jackhammers, picks and shovels.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Trump poses as a pro-worker force, but his policies are atrocious for the laboring class.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straining. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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