strained (B2)
adjective
Pronunciation: /ˈstreɪnd/
Definition
Showing the effects of great effort or tension, often appearing uncomfortable or pained.
Examples
Her smile was strained, clearly not genuine.
He spoke in a strained voice, trying to hide his fear.
The doctor noticed a strained look on the patient's face.
How to Use strained
- strained to do something (prepositional phrase)
- To make a great effort to do something, often with difficulty. — "She strained to hear what he was whispering."
- strained relationship (collocation)
- A relationship that is not friendly or harmonious. — "The two neighbors have a strained relationship."
- strained silence (collocation)
- An uncomfortable silence that suggests tension or awkwardness. — "After the awkward question, there was a strained silence."
Synonyms of strained
Words with a similar meaning to strained:
Antonyms of strained
Words with the opposite meaning to strained:
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