strained
Pushed too far
Strained describes something under tension or pressure.
A strained muscle has been overextended.
A strained relationship is tense and uncomfortable: Things have been strained between us since the argument.
A strained smile or laugh looks forced rather than natural.
Strained also means filtered through a strainer: strained tomatoes, strained baby food.
Firmly stretched or fitting
stretched · pulled · flexed · contracted · constricted · tensed · stressed · wound-up
Rough in voice
- raspyRough and grating
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- thinSmall in diameter
- weakLacking power or force
cracked · tight · choked · strangled · faltering · unnatural · artificial · labored
Rendered in lines
- haggardExhausted in appearance
- gauntLean from deprivation
- wanPale and unwell-looking
- pinchedStole or squeezed tightly
pale · tired · weary · exhausted · careworn · fatigued · worn · stressed
Stretched or strained state
- discordLack of agreement
- riftCrack or estrangement
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
- alienationState of being isolated
friction · conflict · animosity · hostility · resentment · distrust · bitterness · acrimony
tight
Firmly stretched or fitting
clenched · stretched · pulled · flexed · contracted · constricted · tensed · stressed · wound-up · overwrought
hoarse
Rough in voice
weak · cracked · tight · choked · strangled · faltering · unnatural · artificial · labored · breathless
drawn
Rendered in lines
pinched · pale · tired · weary · exhausted · careworn · fatigued · worn · stressed · hollow
tension
Stretched or strained state
- discordLack of agreement
- riftCrack or estrangement
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
alienation · friction · conflict · animosity · hostility · resentment · distrust · bitterness · acrimony · breakdown
exertion
Vigorous physical effort
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- toilStrenuous, prolonged effort
heave · tug · haul · overexertion · push · wrestle · fatigue · exhaustion · force · sweat
sieved
Filtered through mesh
sift · percolate · screen · mesh · pulp · liquid · broth · solids · cheesecloth · colander
- relationshipsfriends, romantic, family, friend, flirting
- breathingbreathing, inhalation, breath, exhalation, breathe
- exhaustedtired, weary, exhausted, drained, fatigued
- ___ silencedeathly, eerie, awkward, uncomfortable, stunned
- overwhelmedstressed, overwhelmed, stressed out, burnt out, burned out
- muscle conditionstoned, flexed, relaxed, tense, tight
strainednatural
Not artificially produced
spontaneous · genuine · effortless · unforced · artless
strainedrelaxed
Free of stress
easy · friendly · harmonious · cordial · warm
strainedrelaxed
Free of stress
loose · unstrained · rested · effortless · limber
- repetitive strain injuryTissue damage from overuse
- eye strainTired, aching vision
- muscle strainTorn or overstretched fibers
- financial strainDifficulty meeting monetary obligations
- mental strainTaxing cognitive burden
- repetitive strainDamage from repeated movement
strain, restrain, constraint, restrained, strainer, straining, restraining, strains, unrestrained