adj. 25B6; adjective
relations between them were strained : AWKWARD, tense, uneasy, uncomfortable, edgy, difficult, troubled.
Jean's strained face : DRAWN, careworn, worn, pinched, tired, exhausted, drained, haggard.
a strained smile : FORCED, constrained, unnatural; artificial, insincere, false, affected, put-on.
friendly.