adjective taxing to the utmost.
— synonyms: arduous, strenuous
noun an intense or violent exertion.
— synonyms: strain
noun the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean.
— synonyms: distortion, overrefinement, torture, twisting
Examples
“Relations between the United States and Guatemala traditionally have been close, although at times strained by human rights and civil/military issues.”
“The gale strained the timbers of the ship.”
“Sitting in back, I strained to hear the speaker.”