strained

comparative more strained · superlative most strained

1. Forced through a strainer.

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

2. Under tension; tense.

   Ever since the fight our relationship has been strained.

   1 more example

   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.

   2026 August 6, Nicholas Muhoro, “An Ohio Teen Vanished During a One-Mile Drive in 1994. Her Locked Car Was Found Hours Later”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 06 Aug 2026

3. Not natural or spontaneous but done with effort

   A strained smile.

1. participlepastsimple past and past participle of strain