strained
adjective
1. lacking natural ease
Similar word(s): awkward, labored, laboured
2. showing signs of mental and emotional tension
- her voice was strained as she asked the question
Similar word(s): tense
3. lacking spontaneity; not natural
- a constrained smile
- a strained smile
Similar word(s): affected, unnatural, constrained, forced
4. struggling for effect
Similar word(s): affected, unnatural, agonistic
Sentences with strained as an adjective:
- Babies don’t seem to like strained peas, even though the puree is easy for them to eat and digest.
- Ever since the fight our relation has been strained.
verb
1. simple past tense and past participle of strain