"strain" | Definition and Related Words

strain

Noun

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces (synset 111535758)
referred to in: natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions

is a type of: deformation - alteration in the shape or dimensions of an object as a result of the application of stress to it

subtypes: overstrain - too much strain
Difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension (synset 114433493)
"she endured the stresses and strains of life"; "he presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger"

is a type of: difficulty - a condition or state of affairs almost beyond one's ability to deal with and requiring great effort to bear or overcome

same as: stress
A succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence (synset 107041860)
"she was humming an air from Beethoven"

is a type of: music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
subtypes:
- fanfare, flourish, tucket - (music) a short lively tune played on brass instruments
- glissando - a rapid series of ascending or descending notes on the musical scale
- roulade - (music) an elaborate run of several notes sung to one syllable
- leitmotif, leitmotiv - a melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a person or situation (as in Wagner's operas)
- theme song - a melody that recurs and comes to represent a musical play or movie
- signature, signature tune, theme song - a melody used to identify a performer or a dance band or radio/tv program
- idea, melodic theme, musical theme, theme - (music) melodic subject of a musical composition
- part, voice - the melody carried by a particular voice or instrument in polyphonic music
has: musical phrase, phrase - a short musical passage

same as: air, line, melodic line, melodic phrase, melody, tune
(psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress (synset 114399295)
"his responsibilities were a constant strain"; "the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him"

referred to in: psychological science, psychology - the science of mental life

is a type of: nerves, nervousness - an uneasy psychological state

subtypes: stress, tenseness, tension - (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense

same as: mental strain, nervous strain
A special variety of domesticated animals within a species (synset 108118376)
"he experimented on a particular breed of white rats"; "he created a new strain of sheep"
is a type of:
- animal group - a group of animals
- variety - (biology) a taxonomic category consisting of members of a species that differ from others of the same species in minor but heritable characteristics
subtypes:
- bloodstock - thoroughbred horses (collectively)
- pedigree - line of descent of a purebred animal
belongs to: species - (biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

same as: breed, stock
(biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups (synset 108128123)
"a new strain of microorganisms"

referred to in: biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms

is a type of: taxon, taxonomic category, taxonomic group - animal or plant group having natural relations

belongs to: species - (biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

same as: form, var., variant
Injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse);
Results in swelling and pain (synset 114321604)
is a type of: harm, hurt, injury, trauma - any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
The general meaning or substance of an utterance (synset 105931082)
"although I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument"

is a type of: meaning, substance - the idea that is intended

subtypes: drift, purport - the pervading meaning or tenor

same as: tenor
An effortful attempt to attain a goal (synset 100790427)
is a type of: attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try - earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

subtypes: jehad, jihad - a holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral or spiritual or political goal

same as: nisus, pains, striving
An intense or violent exertion (synset 100625793)
is a type of: effort, elbow grease, exertion, sweat, travail - use of physical or mental energy; hard work

same as: straining
The act of singing (synset 100547426)
"with a shout and a song they marched up to the gates"

is a type of: vocal music - music that is vocalized (as contrasted with instrumental music)
subtypes:
- carol - a joyful song (usually celebrating the birth of Christ)
- cradlesong, lullaby - the act of singing a quiet song to lull a child to sleep
same as: song

Verb

To exert much effort or energy (synset 201148517)
"straining our ears to hear"

is a type of: drive, labor, labour, push, tug - strive and make an effort to reach a goal
subtypes:
- extend oneself - strain to the utmost
- kill oneself, overexert oneself - strain oneself more than is healthy
- bother, inconvenience oneself, trouble, trouble oneself - take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
same as: reach, strive
Test the limits of (synset 201802463)
"You are trying my patience!"

is a type of: afflict - cause great unhappiness for; distress

subtypes: rack - stretch to the limits

same as: stress, try
Use to the utmost;
Exert vigorously or to full capacity (synset 201167895)
"He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro"; "Don't strain your mind too much"

is a type of: apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
subtypes:
- overextend, overstrain - strain excessively
- task, tax - use to the limit
same as: extend
Separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements (synset 201462658)
"sift the flour"

is a type of: separate - divide into components or constituents
subtypes:
- rice - sieve so that it becomes the consistency of rice
- resift - sift anew
- riddle, screen - separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff
- winnow - separate the chaff from grain by using air currents
same as: sieve, sift
Cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious (synset 200025196)
"he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"

causes: tense, tense up - become tense, nervous, or uneasy

is a type of: affect - act physically on; have an effect upon

subtypes: extend, stretch - extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body

same as: tense, tense up
Become stretched or tense or taut (synset 201575559)
"the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed"; "the rope strained when the weight was attached"

is a type of: tighten - become tight or tighter

same as: tense
Remove by passing through a filter (synset 201461293)
"filter out the impurities"

is a type of: separate - divide into components or constituents

same as: filter, filter out, filtrate, separate out
Rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender (synset 201253038)
"puree the vegetables for the baby"

referred to in: cookery, cooking, preparation - the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

is a type of: rub - move over something with pressure

same as: puree
Alter the shape of (something) by stress (synset 200477675)
"His body was deformed by leprosy"

is a type of: form, shape - give shape or form to

subtypes: jaundice - distort adversely

same as: deform, distort

strain

Found on Word Lists

Other Searches