unstrain
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: * To relieve from tension or strain; to make or become less tense, rigid, or tight. It is the direct opposite of "to strain."
Usage
The verb "unstrain" describes the action of releasing physical or mental tension. It is a somewhat formal or literary synonym for "relax." * It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (e.g., unstrain a muscle, unstrain your mind). * It is less common in everyday speech than "relax" or "loosen."
Examples
- Physical:
- Mental/Emotional:
- Figurative:
Advanced Usage
- "To unstrain oneself": To consciously make an effort to relax one's own body or mind.
- During the meditation, she focused on breathing deeply to unstrain herself.
Variants and Related Words
- Unstrained (adjective): Not subjected to strain; relaxed, natural.
- He spoke with an unstrained confidence.
- Strain (verb, antonym): To stretch or exert to the utmost; to injure by overuse.
- Relax (verb, synonym): To make or become less tense or rigid.
- Loosen (verb, synonym): To make less tight or firm.
Synonyms
Relax, loosen, slacken, ease, relieve.
Antonyms
Strain, tense, tighten, stress.
Notes
"Unstrain" is formed by adding the prefix "un-" (meaning "reverse of") to the verb "strain." While perfectly understandable, it is used less frequently than its more common synonym "relax."
Verb
- cause to feel relaxed
- A hot bath always relaxes me