1
as in lineages
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
as in melodies
a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect
the strain of an old Irish ballad rose up from the revelers downstairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in splashes
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 types
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 stresses
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
as in pulls
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
2
as in filters
to pass through a filter
better strain that coffee thoroughly to get all the grounds out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in struggles
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 drips
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 stretches
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 hugs
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 strains
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Additionally, in the case of probiotic drinks, the specific bacterial strains matter too.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
The global economy is facing ever more tangible strains from the energy shock triggered by the Iran war as factories grapple with soaring production costs and activity weakens even in services sectors, major surveys showed today.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
The maneuver is aimed at easing strains on global funding markets, giving breathing room to households and businesses of both participating countries.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
That’s because the vaccine protects against multiple strains of HPV, and individuals may not have been exposed to all of them earlier.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Anthropic’s newest admission is likely to increase already widespread speculation that the lab may be suffering from a compute strains after use of its products soared in the past few months.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
In both groups, mCOMBRIAX spurred statistically-significant higher immune responses against common flu strains (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B/Victoria) and against SARS-CoV-2 than the comparator vaccines.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In addition to protein, kefir contains more than 50 strains of probiotic bacteria.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 24 Apr. 2026
Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Probiotic supplements can also vary significantly in quality, number, and types of bacteria strains.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 27 Apr. 2026
Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices — but the disruption doesn’t end there.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Her scathing insults are as giddy as her crushing acknowledgements are gut-wrenching, as Lindsay strains to navigate a situation spinning further and further outside of her limited domain.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
The wrong pillow height or sleeping in a posture that strains the cervical spine can cause enough low-level discomfort to fragment sleep without fully waking you.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
One of the reasons the center has been held up is because commissioners have denied the two nonprofits Leifman wants to open and run the Miami Center, citing budget strains once short-term funding runs out in three years.
—Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, strains on domestic supply are mounting.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
The hope of one day inheriting Cal’s construction empire was part of what motivated Nate to act so … violently in high school, but without the context of how that takeover happened, his success strains credulity.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
Eyal Zamir said the strains on Israel’s armed forces have created an urgent need to increase military recruitment.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Additionally, in the case of probiotic drinks, the specific bacterial strains matter too.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
The global economy is facing ever more tangible strains from the energy shock triggered by the Iran war as factories grapple with soaring production costs and activity weakens even in services sectors, major surveys showed today.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
The maneuver is aimed at easing strains on global funding markets, giving breathing room to households and businesses of both participating countries.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
That’s because the vaccine protects against multiple strains of HPV, and individuals may not have been exposed to all of them earlier.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Anthropic’s newest admission is likely to increase already widespread speculation that the lab may be suffering from a compute strains after use of its products soared in the past few months.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
In both groups, mCOMBRIAX spurred statistically-significant higher immune responses against common flu strains (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B/Victoria) and against SARS-CoV-2 than the comparator vaccines.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In addition to protein, kefir contains more than 50 strains of probiotic bacteria.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up ticket prices.
—Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Probiotic supplements can also vary significantly in quality, number, and types of bacteria strains.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 27 Apr. 2026
Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices — but the disruption doesn’t end there.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Her scathing insults are as giddy as her crushing acknowledgements are gut-wrenching, as Lindsay strains to navigate a situation spinning further and further outside of her limited domain.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
The wrong pillow height or sleeping in a posture that strains the cervical spine can cause enough low-level discomfort to fragment sleep without fully waking you.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
One of the reasons the center has been held up is because commissioners have denied the two nonprofits Leifman wants to open and run the Miami Center, citing budget strains once short-term funding runs out in three years.
—Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, strains on domestic supply are mounting.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
The hope of one day inheriting Cal’s construction empire was part of what motivated Nate to act so … violently in high school, but without the context of how that takeover happened, his success strains credulity.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strains
Verb
-
Sometimes a person opens the top of their skull to reach inside; in her painting Threading the Story Through the Eye of a Needle (circa 1974), a hand pulls a line of thread through a pupil, towing two tiny people in a boat, suggesting both sight and an idea made manifest.—
Nicole Rudick,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, tender beef meatballs sit in a bright, zippy marinara that pulls everything into focus.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The area benefits from weather systems, a high concentration of forest land that filters the air, a good distance from polluting industries and a population of only about 33,000, so there are not as many cars on the road.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Its improved Heart Rate Tracking filters out body movement for more accurate readings, and advanced sensors monitor sleep habits and detect signs of sleep apnea.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The risk is Sadiq doesn’t see a full workload as a rookie, struggles for targets while competing with Mitchell and others, and Geno Smith doesn’t bounce back.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Republicans have a tiny four-vote majority in the chamber, and the president’s party historically struggles in midterm balloting.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s Cassie licking a melting ice cream cone as the ice cream drips down her bare chest.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 Apr. 2026
-
On the illustrious campus of Kingston College, prestige drips off students, faculty and architecture.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Noriega, the analyst, said that the amount companies are paying to cross the Panama Canal may continue to go up if the conflict stretches on, as oil prices are already skyrocketing.—
Alma Solís,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Announced Tuesday, the official feature competition includes 11 films, with France again playing an outsized role — six of the titles are French productions or co-productions — even as the selection stretches across Asia and the Americas.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Win it, and suddenly the series tightens, the doubt creeps in and the path gets a lot more complicated for Orlando.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
There’s also Title Wave Books in Anchorage, which houses one of the most extensive collections of Indigenous American literature in the country, and Nā Mea Hawai'i, whose collection tightens its scope to Hawaiian culture and history.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Not only does the material ensure comfort and support, but the unique design, with thick straps that curve to the exact shape of my arches and a cupped heel, creates a glove-like fit that hugs my feet.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Slim planter beds along fences operate on the same principle, replacing bulky garden beds with streamlined growing space that hugs the perimeter and keeps the center of the garden open and breathable.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mercury damages the nervous system.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Antisemitism weakens trust, corrodes pluralism and damages the social fabric on which diverse communities depend.—
Laurence Milstein,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strains. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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