STRAINING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does straining mean? 

• STRAINING (noun)
  The noun STRAINING has 2 senses:

1. an intense or violent exertion

2. the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

  Familiarity information: STRAINING used as a noun is rare.

• STRAINING (adjective)
  The adjective STRAINING has 1 sense:

1. taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance

  Familiarity information: STRAINING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STRAINING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An intense or violent exertion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

strain; straining

Hypernyms ("straining" is a kind of...):

effort; elbow grease; exertion; sweat; travail (use of physical or mental energy; hard work)

Derivation:

strain (use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

distortion; overrefinement; straining; torture; twisting

Hypernyms ("straining" is a kind of...):

falsification; misrepresentation (a willful perversion of facts)

• STRAINING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance

Synonyms:

arduous; straining; strenuous

Context example:

your willingness after these six arduous days to remain here

Similar:

effortful (requiring great physical effort)

 Context examples 

It had seemed to her like a giant writhing and straining at the bonds that held him down.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

For half an hour I sat with straining ears.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

With a cheek flushed by hope, and an eye straining with curiosity, her fingers grasped the handle of a drawer and drew it forth.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

The Yukon was straining to break loose the ice that bound it down.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

This startled me, but as the effect was only momentary, I took it that my eyes deceived me straining through the darkness.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

A combination of muscle weakness and straining, such as with heavy lifting, might contribute.

(Hernia, NIH)

At this very instant, dear lady, the Queen, our Queen, may be straining her eyes for the topsails of Nelson’s ships.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I can see little,” she answered, straining her eyes and puckering her brow, as one who would fain clear her sight.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Curse you, you double traitor!” cried the German, straining against his bonds and glaring murder from his furious eyes.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They often result from straining to have a bowel movement.

(Hemorrhoids, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)