Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking natural ease or spontaneity; forced or artificial: Describing something that appears contrived, not genuine, or done with effort rather than flowing naturally.
   • Showing signs of mental, emotional, or physical tension: Describing a state of being stretched tight, under pressure, or stressed.
   • Weakened or damaged by excessive force or pressure: In a technical or figurative sense, referring to something pushed beyond its normal limits.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • After the argument, there was a strained silence in the room.
  • She gave a strained smile, trying to hide her disappointment.
  • His voice sounded strained as he delivered the difficult news.
  • The strained relations between the two countries led to border closures.

Advanced Usage

• "to be strained": to be under tension or stress.
  • The cable was strained to its breaking point.
• "a strained interpretation": a forced or unnatural understanding of something.
  • His strained interpretation of the law was rejected by the court.

Variants and Related Words

• Strain (verb/noun): To stretch or exert to the utmost; a force causing such stretching.
  • Verb: Be careful not to strain your back.
  • Noun: The constant strain of work affected his health.
• Unstrained (adjective): Not strained; natural or relaxed.
  • Their conversation was easy and unstrained.

Synonyms

• Forced: Done with effort; not spontaneous.
• Tense: Stretched tight; showing mental or nervous strain.
• Labored: Done with great effort; not effortless.
• Artificial: Not arising from natural feelings; contrived.

Related Phrases

• Strained to hear: Making a great effort to listen.
  • The audience was strained to hear the speaker's whisper.
• Strained through a sieve: Passed through a sieve to separate solids (literal usage).
  • The sauce should be strained through a sieve to remove lumps.

Related Idioms

• Strained relations: A state of tension or unfriendliness between people or groups.
  • The diplomatic incident resulted in strained relations for years.
• A strained atmosphere: An environment filled with tension and discomfort.
  • There was a strained atmosphere during the family dinner.

Adjective

1. struggling for effect
   • agonistic poses
2. lacking spontaneity; not natural
   • a constrained smile
   • forced heartiness
   • a strained smile
3. showing signs of mental and emotional tension
   • her voice was strained as she asked the question
4. lacking natural ease
   • a labored style of debating