Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Having been passed through a strainer.
  • adjective Done with or marked by excessive effort; forced.
  • adjective Extended beyond proper limits.
  • adjective Antagonized to the verge of open conflict.
  • adjective Twisted; wrenched.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Forced; carried beyond proper limits: as, a strained interpretation of a law.
  • Of this or that strain or breed, as an animal.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Subjected to great or excessive tension; wrenched; weakened.
  • adjective Done or produced with straining or excessive effort.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Forced through a strainer.
  • adjective Under tension; tense.
  • verb Simple past tense and past participle of strain.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective lacking spontaneity; not natural
  • adjective showing signs of mental and emotional tension
  • adjective lacking natural ease
  • adjective struggling for effect

Etymologies

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Examples

  • His dark hair was matted with sweat, his expression strained and empty, the expression of release.

    Strangers In the Night Linda Howard 2001

  • “Right,” Brianna says, and Ryan pulls away from her, his expression strained, still not looking at me as he mutters, “I gotta go,” and walks off.

    The Unwritten Rule Elizabeth Scott 2010

  • “Right,” Brianna says, and Ryan pulls away from her, his expression strained, still not looking at me as he mutters, “I gotta go,” and walks off.

    The Unwritten Rule Elizabeth Scott 2010

  • Finally she turned to him, with her lovely face wan, her expression strained.

    Kresley Cole Immortals After Dark: The Clan MacRieve Kresley Cole 2010

  • LOTHIAN: Last month, President Obama used a video to speak directly to the Iranian people about improving what he called a strained relationship.

    CNN Transcript Apr 8, 2009 2009

  • LOTHIAN: Last month, President Obama used a video to speak directly to the Iranian people about improving what he called a strained relationship.

    CNN Transcript Apr 8, 2009 2009

  • For example, you said that the muscle strain -- that a muscle strain, which you called a strained glut (ph), could have led to the problem.

    CNN Transcript Feb 13, 2008 2008

  • Yes, him I know; he speak good French, and take the door down from the _fare_ on which is the picture done by Gauguin of the lady whose legs are like thin pillows and her arms like fat ropes, very what you call strained, and funny. '

    When Winter Comes to Main Street Grant Martin Overton 1908

  • The necessity of the case demands what you call a strained ideal.

    The Odd Women George Gissing 1880

  • Katie tugged at Mark’s sleeve, her expression strained and pale.

    The Flower Man Donna Anders 1995

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