strained Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb to exert much effort or energy
   strain; reach; strive.
   
   • straining our ears to hear
2. verb test the limits of
   try; strain; stress.
   
   • You are trying my patience!
3. verb use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity
   strain; extend.
   
   • He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
   • Don't strain your mind too much
4. verb separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
   strain; sift; sieve.
   
   • sift the flour
5. verb cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
   strain; tense up; tense.
   
   • he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up
6. verb become stretched or tense or taut
   strain; tense.
   
   • the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed
   • "the rope strained when the weight was attached
7. verb remove by passing through a filter
   filter; filtrate; separate out; filter out; strain.
   
   • filter out the impurities
8. verb rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
   strain; puree.
   
   • puree the vegetables for the baby
9. verb alter the shape of (something) by stress
   strain; deform; distort.
   
   • His body was deformed by leprosy
10. adjective satellite lacking natural ease
    labored; laboured.
    
    • a labored style of debating
11. adjective satellite showing signs of mental and emotional tension
    
    • her voice was strained as she asked the question
12. adjective satellite lacking spontaneity; not natural
    forced; constrained.
    
    • a constrained smile
    • forced heartiness
    • a strained smile
13. adjective satellite struggling for effect
    agonistic.
    
    • agonistic poses

WordNet