· to exert much effort or energy; "straining our ears to hear"

Synonym(s): strive, reach

Hypernym(s): tug, labor, labour, push, drive

· test the limits of; "You are trying my patience!"

Synonym(s): try, stress

Hypernym(s): afflict

· use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity; "He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro"; "Don't strain your mind too much"

Synonym(s): extend

Hypernym(s): use, utilize, utilise, apply, employ

· separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements; "sift the flour"

Synonym(s): sift, sieve

Hypernym(s): separate

· cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious; "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"

Synonym(s): tense, tense_up

Hypernym(s): affect

Antonym(s): unstrain

· become stretched or tense or taut; "the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed"; "the rope strained when the weight was attached"

Synonym(s): tense

Hypernym(s): tighten

· remove by passing through a filter; "filter out the impurities"

Synonym(s): filter, filtrate, separate_out, filter_out

Hypernym(s): separate

· rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender; "puree the vegetables for the baby"

Synonym(s): puree

Hypernym(s): rub

· alter the shape of (something) by stress; "His body was deformed by leprosy"

Synonym(s): deform, distort

Hypernym(s): shape, form

· lacking natural ease; "a labored style of debating"

Synonym(s): labored, laboured

· showing signs of mental and emotional tension; "her voice was strained as she asked the question"

· lacking spontaneity; not natural; "a constrained smile"; "forced heartiness"; "a strained smile"

Synonym(s): constrained, forced

· struggling for effect; "agonistic poses"

Synonym(s): agonistic