"Mine," he insisted, and at least his voice was starting to sound strained.

Her voice had begun to sound strained, she had called so often.

Her voice sounded strained, as though she found it hard to breathe.

The apology sounded strained, a bit forced, but I didn't care.

My voice sounded strained and I fought to control it.

If this comparison sounds strained, it may be because the Chinese civil war ended 46 years ago.

His voice sounded even more strained than it had the last time.

His voice sounded strained, but he was still forcing himself to be calm.

He spoke in a voice that sounded strained and troubled.

Why on earth did she have to sound so strained and tense?