strained — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Forced through a strainer.

   Examples

   Babies don’t seem to like strained peas, even though the puree is easy for them to eat and digest.

2. Under tension; tense.

   Examples

   Ever since the fight our relationship has been strained.

   More examples (1)

   In the summer of 1994, Shaylene’s relationship with her mother was strained. Darlene had recently caught Shaylene smoking marijuana, and the resulting tension prompted her daughter to move out and stay with a friend for weeks.

3. Not natural or spontaneous but done with effort

   Examples

   A strained smile.

Adjective

1. lacking natural ease

   Synonyms

   laboredlaboured

   Examples

   a labored style of debating

2. showing signs of mental and emotional tension

   Examples

   her voice was strained as she asked the question

3. lacking spontaneity; not natural

   Synonyms

   constrainedforced

   Examples

   a constrained smile

   forced heartiness

   More examples (1)

   a strained smile

4. struggling for effect

   Synonyms

   agonistic

   Examples

   agonistic poses