If someone's appearance, voice, or behaviour is strained, they seem worried and nervous.
She looked a little pale and strained.
Gil sensed something wrong from her father's strained voice.
His laughter seemed a little strained.
Synonyms: forced, put on, false, artificial More Synonyms of strained
2. adjective
If relations between people are strained, those people do not like or trust each other.
...a period of strained relations between the prime minister and his deputy.
More Synonyms of strained
strained in British English
(streɪnd)
adjective
1.
(of an action, performance, etc) not natural or spontaneous
2.
(of an atmosphere, relationship, etc) not relaxed; tense
strained in American English
(streɪnd)
adjective
not natural or relaxed; forced
Examples of 'strained' in a sentence
strained
There was definitely a strained relationship there.
Jan Fennell, Foreword by Monty Roberts THE DOG LISTENER: Learning the Language of your Best Friend (2002)
He pulled a face like a strained groin.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The atmosphere was very tense and strained.
Davey, Ray Rev. & Cole, John A Channel of Peace (1993)
Since then relations between the two companies have become strained.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The ice baths are not pleasant but it means his strained muscles will recover quicker.
The Sun (2013)
It is not particularly quick and push it and the engine becomes noisy and strained.
The Sun (2010)
Often the cause is a strained muscle.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But a scan yesterday showed he has a strained abductor muscle.
The Sun (2011)
Police hope that the meetings with young people will help to strengthen relations when they might become more strained.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is really important that there is no hangover from the strike in terms of strained relationships and bad blood.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
My parents found me and brought me back home, but the atmosphere became more strained.
The Sun (2013)
What a difference from the strained faces in certain parts of London!
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
The pair were inseparable, yet in recent years their relationship has become strained.
The Sun (2013)
Then our daughter arrived 12 months ago and things have become really strained.
The Sun (2008)
At that meeting, the defendant disclosed that his relationship with his wife had become strained.
Christianity Today (2000)
His voice was strained and high-pitched.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
None of this seemed strained.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I've tried building bridges but our relationships are so strained.
The Sun (2013)
This is because our emotional vocabulary is limited and we feel more comfortable talking about headaches, stomach pains and strained muscles than about our feelings.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
These strained relations set an enthralling plot line against a backdrop of key moments in twentieth-century European history.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
But they've been affected by the frosty atmosphere... the strained atmosphere is clearly not helping the team.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You may like high heels, but suffering to be beautiful does not work, because of the strained face.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
strained
British English: strained /streɪnd/ ADJECTIVE
If someone's appearance, voice, or behaviour is strained, they seem worried and nervous.