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. 
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1) He strained his ears to catch the sound.
2) Her face looked strained and weary.
3) He realized that she was too strained.
4) They strained at the ropes to balance the sails.
5) He spoke in a low, strained voice.
6) They strained the wire between two posts.
7) She looked rather strained and miserable.
8) Smiling for the cameras, the two men strained to make small- talk.
9) If the eyes are severely strained , they become bloodshot.
10) I couldn't stand the strained atmosphere at dinner any more.
11) They strained on the rope to pull the boat in.
12) The heavy box strained the rope to a breaking point.
13) Typhoon strained the whole vil-lage.
14) The conversation became strained and eventually petered out.
15) They strained their eyes,[http://sentencedict.com/strained.html] but saw nothing.
16) Our resources are strained to the utmost.
17) Necks were strained for a glimpse of the stranger.
18) She strained the boy to her bosom.
19) I strained a muscle in my back playing squash.
20) I strained my back when I lifted the box.
21) He strained and raised the barbell of 205 kilograms.
22) She strained her child close to her breast.
23) His face immediately strained out sweat.
24) She strained against the ropes that held her.
25) Their five-year relationship was strained beyond breaking point.
26) I strained forward to get a better view.
27) Relations between the two families are strained.
28) The supply of oil has been strained.
29) She looked very strained when I last saw her.
30) The incident has strained relations between the two countries.