Merriam-Webster https://www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › strained What is the synonym of strained? AI Overview STRAINED Synonyms: 1 958 Similar Words & Phrases Synonyms for "strained" depend on the context, but common ones include tense, forced, unnatural, awkward, uneasy, stiff, labored, and ** artificial**, referring to something lacking ease or naturalness, like a strained smile or voice. Other synonyms, like stretching, overtaxing, or ** straining**, relate to physical exertion or injury, while words like ** constrained** or ** difficult** describe tense situations or relationships, notes Merriam-Webster and Collins Dictionary. For manner or expression (not natural) Awkward, forced, stiff, unnatural, artificial, contrived, fake, labored, stilted, pretended, phony . Example: A strained smile, a strained laugh. For emotion or situation (tense) Tense, uneasy, awkward, uncomfortable, embarrassed, uptight, on edge, keyed up . Example: A strained silence, strained relations. For physical effort (overexerted) Stretching, overexerting, overtaxing, pulling, twisting, wrenching, taxing, weakened . Example: A strained muscle.