Synonym: agonistic, constrained, forced, labored, laboured. Similar words: unrestrained, grained, strain, straitened, trainer, constrain, constraint, train. Meaning: [streɪnd] 
adj. 1. lacking natural ease 2. under great stress 3. lacking spontaneity; not natural 4. struggling for effect.
adj. 1. lacking natural ease 2. under great stress 3. lacking spontaneity; not natural 4. struggling for effect. 
Random good picture Not show
61) He strained to conjure up her face and voice, but they had vanished.
62) She strained the pasta.
63) Barkley suffered a strained thigh muscle late in the preseason.
64) I strained my ears to catch the conversation in the other room.
65) Relations between him and his new wife are rather strained.
66) I felt that my patience was being strained to the limit .
67) The soured milk is strained through muslin to leave a soft ball of cheese ready to be shaped.
68) Nina's voice sounded strained.
69) His voice had lost its resonance; it was tense and strained.
70) My eyes strained to make anything out in the darkness.
71) Buddy's huge gut strained against the buttons on his shirt.
72) He strained every sinew to help us, but didn't succeed.
73) His foot has strained.
74) Jean felt uncomfortable but managed to force a strained smile. Sentencedict.com
75) There are tea leaves in my cup - you haven't strained the tea.
76) The liquid strained easily.
77) She was looking strained and had dark circles beneath her eyes.
78) The meeting took place in a strained atmosphere.
79) The evening ended on a strained note.
80) She strained her ears but could hear nothing.
81) Clinton put the emphasis on smoothing strained relations.
82) Parade watchers strained to get a better look.
83) Its very awkwardness symbolises the strained relationship.
84) Ruth looked away from Fernando's strained features.
85) James strained his right knee playing football.
86) Relations between the two states were severely strained.
87) He strained his eyes peering into the gloom.
88) After the argument there was a strained silence.
89) The high rate of acceleration strained her neck muscles.
90) The black armband strained on one sleeve.