relationship strain
Connection under pressure
Relationship strain is the tension, stress, or pressure that weakens a connection between people.
The phrase typically describes marriages, friendships, or family bonds under duress: The long-distance arrangement put considerable strain on their relationship.
Financial problems, illness, and conflicting priorities are common sources.
Unlike a breakup or estrangement, strain suggests the relationship persists but is stressed—damaged but not yet broken.
- tensionStretched or strained state
- walking on eggshellsActing with extreme caution
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- conflictOpposition between parties
- distanceSpace between two points
emotional distance · growing apart · rift · disconnect · coldness · resentment · arguments · silence · silent treatment · stress · cracks · breaking · trial separation · couples therapy · betrayal · hurt · communication · walls
- burnoutburned out, burnt out, burn out, burning out, burnout
- hardshiphardship, adversity, difficulty, trouble, struggle
- midlifemidlife crisis, empty nest, empty nester, forties, fifties
- OCDOCD, obsession, obsessions, compulsion, compulsions
- pregnancy worriesmiscarriage, birth defects, complications, preeclampsia, stillbirth
relationship strainmarital bliss
Happiness within wedlock
domestic harmony · harmony · mutual understanding · rapport · closeness
relationship strainsecure attachment
Reliable caregiver-child emotional bond
strong bond · solid foundation · trust · deep bond · mutual trust
relationship strainemotional comfort
Psychological soothing and support
contentment · warmth · tenderness · serenity · bliss
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