strained

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In that gap period, homes are lost, retirement accounts are drained, and marriages and relationships are strained.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

After absorbing sunlight, it shifts into a strained, high-energy form and stays in that state until activated.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2026

Private equity’s pileup of unsold investments—just shy of 33,000 companies globally worth more than $3 trillion—has hamstrung fundraising and strained relations with fund investors waiting to get money back.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

United were in disarray when Amorim was dismissed, with poor results and disagreements over the Portuguese's tactics and formation leading to an increasingly strained relationship with club officials towards the end of his 14-month tenure.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Stopping for a minute, he strained to hear any movement from the cave, but no sound came.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins