strained
adj. B1 Intermediate US //ˈstɹeɪnd// UK //stɹˈeɪnd// strained
adj. looking or sounding tired, tense, or unhappy because of stress or hard work.
adj. showing signs of mental or physical tension, exhaustion, or anxiety. Typically used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'look', 'sound', or 'feel'.
She looked strained after the long meeting.
His voice sounded strained when he tried to explain the mistake to his boss.
The politician's strained smile failed to hide the deep anxiety that gripped the cabinet during the crisis.
Usage
Often follows verbs like 'look', 'sound', or 'feel' to describe a temporary state of tension.