Connections Hint Today Fri, Aug 2 #434

Need help with Connections puzzle #434 on Fri, Aug 2? Get your daily connections hint today! Find the hidden links between these 16 words: STRAIN, TAX, TEST, TRY, MIX, SAMPLE, SCRATCH, SPIN, DIRECT, IRREGULAR, POSSESSIVE, PRESENT, ECOLOGICAL, JEALOUS, LUSH, NAUSEOUS