strained

/streɪnd/
verb
  1. Past tense of strain: to stretch or put under pressure, either physically or mentally.
    • The team strained every muscle to finish the race.
    • He strained his back lifting the heavy furniture.
    • She strained to hear the quiet conversation across the room.
  2. Past tense of strain: to filter a liquid by passing it through a sieve or cloth.
    • He strained the tea leaves from the cup before drinking.
    • She strained the pasta and set it aside to cool.
    • The cook strained the stock to remove the bones and vegetables.
adjective
  1. Showing signs of stress, worry, or tension; not relaxed or natural.
    • After the argument, there was a strained silence between them.
    • The relationship between the two coworkers became strained after the disagreement.
    • Her voice sounded strained as she tried to hold back tears.
  2. Put under physical pressure or force; pulled or stretched tightly.
    • The rope was strained to its limit, ready to snap.
    • She spoke with a strained voice after shouting all day.
    • He lifted the heavy box with a strained back muscle.
  3. Filtered or separated from solid particles by passing through a sieve or cloth.
    • Use strained yogurt for a thicker texture in the sauce.
    • The strained broth was clear and free of herbs.
    • She added strained tomatoes to the soup for a smooth consistency.