Sentence examples for strained attempts from inspiring English sources

Updated settings of operatic staples sometimes seem strained attempts for relevance by stumped directors.

There are slight, likable vocal turns by Phonte Coleman and Kenna, and some strained attempts by the producer himself.

Dean's demeanor on both occasions was unaffected, self-deprecatory here and there, but mainly self-assured, with no strained attempts to charm or humor.

And there were strained attempts at comedy, with one singer and one violinist arriving onstage from the auditorium, as if by mistake.

(Sulcas) ★ Martha Graham Dance Company (Friday through Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday; through March 3) The heirs of Martha Graham's legacy soldier on in their sometimes illuminating, sometimes strained attempts to appeal to a 21st-century audience.

(Siobhan Burke) ★ Martha Graham Dance Company (Wednesday and Thursday; through March 3) The heirs of Martha Graham's legacy soldier on in their sometimes illuminating, sometimes strained attempts to appeal to a 21st-century audience.

By Ian Crouch December 15, 2017 In his new Amazon series, the nineties action star Jean-Claude Van Damme occupies an uneasy space between satire, homage, and strained attempt at a comeback.

Dylan Hartley is still wearing a protective boot on the ankle he strained attempting a kick ahead for Northampton against Ospreys last weekend and the Bath prop David Wilson has a sore calf which forced him to sit out a live training session against Leeds Carnegie.

The candidate's delivery was strained by attempts to muster up sufficient outrage.

As with other hantavirus strains, attempts to isolate virus in tissue culture were unsuccessful; thus, cross-neutralization studies could not be conducted.

Has anyone even helped the poor man up off the floor since his last thwarted Y-front-straining attempt at the conga?