strained

Adjective

• struggling for effect
  • agonistic poses
    

• lacking spontaneity; not natural
  • a constrained smile
    
  • forced heartiness
    
  • a strained smile
    

• showing signs of mental and emotional tension
  • her voice was strained as she asked the question
    

• lacking natural ease
  • a labored style of debating
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  agonistic , constrained , forced , labored , laboured