strained

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strained / strānd/ • adj. 1. (of an atmosphere, situation, or relationship) not relaxed or comfortable; tense or uneasy: there was a strained silence | relations between the two countries were strained. ∎  (of a person) showing signs of tiredness or nervous tension: Jean's pale, strained face. ∎  (of an appearance or performance) produced by deliberate effort rather than natural impulse; artificial or forced: I put on my strained smile for the next customer. ∎  (of a statement or representation) labored or far-fetched: my example may seem a little strained and artificial.2. (of a limb or muscle) injured by overexertion or twisting.3. (of a mainly liquid substance) having been strained to separate out any solid matter.

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