Things had been strained between us since the previous night.

The business relationship was bound to be strained now between her and Michael.

In one case, relations were strained between a black manager and a white man who worked for him.

Silence strained between them as he paid the bill and they went back out to the truck.

I bit him until he pulled back, the flesh straining between us.

Relations have long been strained between the realm of my master.

Besides, with relations strained between us, Hap was unlikely to turn to her for aid.

It strained between my fingers and flowed into darkness.

It was always terrible when things were strained between Karl and Anna.

Relations were strained between Republicans and Democrats from the start given the protracted fight over the election.