Definition of strain

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  • strain is a valid Scrabble US word with a point value of 6
  • strain is a valid Scrabble UK word with a point value of 6
  • strain is a valid Words with friends word with a point value of 7

Definition of strain

  • an intense or violent exertion (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. straining
  • difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension (noun)

    Examples

    1. she endured the stresses and strains of life

    Synonyms

    1. stress
  • cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious (verb)

    Synonyms

    1. tense
    2. tense up
  • test the limits of (verb)

    Synonyms

    1. stress
    2. try
  • become stretched or tense or taut (verb)

    Examples

    1. the rope strained when the weight was attached

    Synonyms

    1. tense
  • a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. air
    2. line
    3. melodic line
    4. melodic phrase
    5. melody
    6. tune
  • the act of singing (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. song
  • remove by passing through a filter (verb)

    Synonyms

    1. filter
    2. filter out
    3. filtrate
    4. separate out
  • separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements (verb)

    Synonyms

    1. sieve
    2. sift
  • use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity (verb)

    Examples

    1. Don't strain your mind too much

    Synonyms

    1. extend
  • (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups (noun)

    Examples

    1. a new strain of microorganisms

    Synonyms

    1. form
    2. var.
    3. variant
  • a special variety of domesticated animals within a species (noun)

    Examples

    1. he created a new strain of sheep

    Synonyms

    1. breed
    2. stock
  • the general meaning or substance of an utterance (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. tenor
  • to exert much effort or energy (verb)

    Examples

    1. straining our ears to hear

    Synonyms

    1. reach
    2. strive
  • an effortful attempt to attain a goal (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. nisus
    2. pains
    3. striving
  • rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender (verb)

    Synonyms

    1. puree
  • alter the shape of (something) by stress (verb)

    Synonyms

    1. deform
    2. distort
  • (psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress (noun)

    Examples

    1. his responsibilities were a constant strain
    2. the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him

    Synonyms

    1. mental strain
    2. nervous strain
  • injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain (noun)
  • (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces (noun)

See definition of strain in Merriam Webster