strained

He had been an ever-present at the start of his son's career, but their relationship has become strained.

South Africa has also suffered from strained relations with Washington, which has expelled its ambassador and removed aid funding.

It found no evidence to back up the ambassador's claim, but relations between South Africa and the Biden administration remained strained.

They wind up getting cast, under strained dramatic circumstances, in the school musical, and a romance of sensitive oddballs blossoms.

A handful of blueberries, strawberries or even rhubarb cooked down with bourbon and a touch of chili flake before being strained or puréed makes for a rich, violet-toned sauce that’s both vibrant and unexpected.