Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Requiring great physical or mental effort; taxing to the utmost: Describing something that demands extreme exertion, endurance, or strength.
2. Noun (gerund):
   • The act of exerting force or effort to the utmost: The action of applying intense physical or mental power.
   • The act of distorting meaning: The action of twisting or misrepresenting something, especially words or facts, from their intended meaning.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The straining muscles of the weightlifter were visible as he lifted the barbell.
  • After the straining climb, they were exhausted but exhilarated.
• Noun:
  • The constant straining to hear the distant conversation gave her a headache. (intense exertion)
  • His straining of the facts in the report was criticized as dishonest. (distortion of meaning)

Advanced Usage

• "to be straining at the leash": To be very eager to begin or do something.
  • The team was straining at the leash to start the new project.
• "to strain a relationship": To put severe pressure or stress on a relationship.
  • The financial difficulties began straining their marriage.

Variants and Related Words

• Strain (verb): To make a strenuous effort; to injure by overuse; to filter.
  • She had to strain to lift the heavy box.
  • He strained his back while gardening.
• Strain (noun): A force tending to stretch or deform something; a severe demand; a breed or type.
  • The bridge was built to withstand great strain.
  • The new deadline put a strain on the department.
• Strained (adjective): Showing signs of nervous tension or tiredness; not relaxed or natural.
  • There was a strained silence in the room.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Strenuous, arduous, taxing, demanding, exhausting.
• Noun (exertion): Exertion, effort, struggle.
• Noun (distortion): Distortion, twisting, misrepresentation.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Strain against: To push or pull hard against something.
  • The horse strained against the reins.
• Strain off: To separate a liquid from a solid by pouring it through a sieve or filter.
  • Strain off the water after boiling the pasta.

Related Idioms

• Strain every nerve: To make the utmost effort.
  • They strained every nerve to finish the work on time.
• A strain on something: A pressure that tests the limits of something.
  • The sudden influx of orders was a strain on their resources.

Adjective

1. taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance
   • his final, straining burst of speed
   • a strenuous task
   • your willingness after these six arduous days to remain here- F.D.Roosevelt

Noun

1. the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
2. an intense or violent exertion