strained/strend; streɪnd/ adj 1 making you feel a little uncomfortable or nervous 紧张的，不自然的: a strained conversation 紧张的谈话 2 if relations between two people, countries etc are strained, they feel they cannot trust or be friendly to each other because of something that has happened 关系紧张的 3 worried and tired 焦虑的; 疲惫的: Alex looks strained. 阿历克斯看上去很疲惫。