Added 9 October 2026 strained /stɹeɪ̯nd/ adjective Categories: Describing WordsUncommon Words adjective ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about strained at Wordnik → Where our words come from → Lacking natural ease. a labored style of debating Showing signs of mental and emotional tension. her voice was strained as she asked the question Lacking spontaneity; not natural. a constrained smile Related Words: labouredlaboredconstrainedforcedawkwardaffectedagonistictenseunnaturalintensetautencumbered Back to today's word