Strained future maybe (5)

I believe the answer is:

tense

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'strained' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for tense that I've seen before include "edgy" , "Stressful" , "Strained by time in grammar" , "In a nervous state" , "Not relaxed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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