Strain's partner

STRESS

Think of what often accompanies physical or mental tension, especially in materials or emotions—it’s not the cause but the result.

"Strain" and "stress" are often paired in everyday language—both refer to pressure or tension, whether physical or mental. The clue plays on their close relationship, treating them like partners in meaning. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden wordplay, relying on how the two words naturally go together in conversation.