strive
verb
also strived ˈstrīvd ; striven ˈstri-vən or strived; striving ˈstrī-viŋ intransitive verb
Synonyms
- bang away
- beaver (away)
- dig (away)
- drudge
- endeavor
- fag
- grub
- hump
- hustle
- labor
- moil
- peg (away)
- plod
- plow
- plug
- slave
- slog
- strain
- struggle
- sweat
- toil
- travail
- tug
- work
Example Sentences
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Sep. 2022 The nascent fast-delivery sector—companies that strive to get products to customers in under 30 minutes—has been hit particularly hard. Preetika Rana, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2022 Do no harm, and strive to do good while creating prosperity Over the past several years, stakeholder capitalism has created an environment in which a company can’t be only about profits. Marie-caroline Chauvet, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2022 Each has their own things to work on and strive for from Hallett. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2022 Some of the most popular experiences that industry leaders should strive to deliver include: 1. Kyle Rand, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Each episode, the designers will compete in different challenges and strive for the top spot in hopes of being the last designer standing. Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 24 Aug. 2022 The series, which reimagines Kodansha’s legendary comic book series Parasyte, tells the story of unidentified parasitic life-forms that live off of human hosts and strive to grow their power. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2022 The story is about unidentified parasitic life-forms that live off human hosts and strive to grow their power. Patrick Frater, Variety, 23 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, to quarrel, contend, fight, endeavor, from Anglo-French estriver to quarrel, from estri, estrif strife — more at strife
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
strive
verb
strive
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- struggle
- labor
- work
- try
- endeavor
- toil
- tug
- sweat
- hustle
- bang away
- plow
- slave
- hump
- travail
- drudge
- plod
- sweat blood
- moil
- grub
- plug
- slog
- strain
- fag
- exert
- peg (away)
- dig (away)
- drive
- attack
- pitch in
- essay
- dig in
- eke out
- scratch
- exercise
- beaver (away)
- buckle (down)
- knuckle down
- wade
- overwork
- apply (oneself)
- overexert
- trudge
- scrabble
- hammer (away)
- put out
- grind (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- break
- slacken
- let up
- ease (up)
- shirk
- relax
- rest
- bask
- unwind
- lounge
- play
- goof (off)
- hang (around or out)
- chill
- hang
- slack (off)
- laze
- repose
- idle
- bum
- loaf
- dabble
- hack (around)
- dally
- loll
- dillydally
- veg out
- footle
- fool around
- hang about
- trifle
- goof (around)
- mess around
- doodle
- goldbrick
- monkey (around)
- putter (around)
- fribble
- potter (around)
Synonyms & Similar Words
- try
- attempt
- seek
- endeavor
- struggle
- hope
- aim
- essay
- aspire
- shoot at
- work
- shoot for
- assay
- try one's hand (at)
- fight
- undertake
- toil
- have a go at
- trouble
- assume
- take up
- strain
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- quit
- drop
- give up
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of strive are attempt, endeavor, essay, and try. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.
The words attempt and strive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.
Although the words endeavor and strive have much in common, endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.
In some situations, the words essay and strive are roughly equivalent. However, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.
Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.