strained

(s) lacking natural ease
- a labored style of debating
labored, laboured,
(s) showing signs of mental and emotional tension
- her voice was strained as she asked the question
(s) lacking spontaneity; not natural
- a constrained smile
- forced heartiness
- a strained smile
constrained, forced,
(s) struggling for effect
- agonistic poses
agonistic,

labored laboured constrained forced agonistic

strainer