strained

Verb

• to exert much effort or energy
• test the limits of
• use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity
• separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
• cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
• become stretched or tense or taut
  • "the rope strained when the weight was attached"
• remove by passing through a filter
• rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
• alter the shape of (something) by stress
• simple past and past participle of strain

Adjective Satellite

• lacking natural ease
• showing signs of mental and emotional tension
  • "her voice was strained as she asked the question"
• lacking spontaneity; not natural
  • "a constrained smile"
  • "a strained smile"
• struggling for effect

Adj

• Forced through a strainer.
• Under tension; tense.
• Not natural or spontaneous but done with effort

Examples

• A strained smile.
• 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.

Synonyms

agonistic, constrained, deform, distort, extend, filter, filter out, filtrate, forced, labored, laboured, puree, reach, separate out, sieve, sift, strain, stress, strive, tense, tense up, try

Antonyms

relax, unstrain

Anagrams of strained