Experienced surfers know where rips are, and will use them to lessen the strain of paddling out, but for the unwary they are terrifying.

Transport infrastructures in many of our cities are creaking, and a growing number of people are eager to lessen the strain.

Sometimes cutters, explosive devices to cut the mine's wire, are used to lessen the strain on the sweeping wire.

The mail service, for essential purposes, has been placed on a good working basis by railway, road, and air, lessening the strain on telegraphic and telephonic communications.

Although the debt decrease lessened the strain on the state, the debt payment was still far more than the state could afford.