---

All answers having "Strains" as clue:

5 Character Answers:

---

DINTS

MUSIC

SIFTS

TAXES

TRIES

TUNES



6 Character Answers:

---

BREEDS

EXERTS

TENSES



8 Character Answers:

---

OVERUSES

STRESSES

TENSIONS



9 Character Answers:

---

TRIESHARD