Collocations for strained - adj.
1. worried and tense
VERBS
be, feel, look, seem, sound
ADV.
very | a bit, a little, rather
She looked rather strained and miserable.
She looked rather strained and miserable.
2. not natural or friendly
VERBS
be | become, grow | remain
The atmosphere remained somewhat strained all evening.
The atmosphere remained somewhat strained all evening.
ADV.
extremely, severely, very
Relations between the two countries had become severely strained.
Relations between the two countries had become severely strained.
increasingly | a bit, a little, rather, slightly, somewhat