Strive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈstrīv/

Meaning & Definition of Strive

Strive (verb)

  1. to devote serious effort or energy, endeavor
  2. to struggle in opposition, contend

Strive (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make an effort to do

    "let us strive to make the most of this opportunity"

    similar: assay, attempt, endeavor, essay, seek, try, have a go at, shoot at, try one's hand (at)
    related: fight, strain, struggle, toil, trouble, work, aim, aspire, hope, assume, take up, undertake
    near: drop, give up, quit

  2. to devote serious and sustained effort

    "not only must we strive for peace in time of war, we must strive mightily to maintain that peace"

    similar: 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, sweat blood
    related: apply (oneself), buckle (down), dig in, hammer (away), knuckle down, pitch in, attack, drive, essay, try, exercise, exert, overexert, overwork, eke out, grind (out), put out, scrabble, scratch, trudge, wade
    near: break, ease (up), let up, slacken, bum, chill, dally, dillydally, footle, goldbrick, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), idle, laze, loaf, lounge, shirk, slack (off), veg out, bask, loll, relax, repose, rest, unwind, dabble, doodle, fool around, fribble, goof (around), hang, hang about (British), mess around, monkey (around), play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Strive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Strive:

assay, attempt, endeavor, essay, seek, try, bang away, beaver (away), dig (away), drudge, fag, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strain, struggle, sweat, toil, travail, tug, work, have a go at, shoot at, try one's hand (at), sweat blood

Related Words for Strive

fight, trouble, aim, aspire, hope, assume, take up, undertake, apply (oneself), buckle (down), dig in, hammer (away), knuckle down, pitch in, attack, drive, exercise, exert, overexert, overwork, eke out, grind (out), put out, scrabble, scratch, trudge, wade

Near Antonyms of Strive

drop, give up, quit, break, ease (up), let up, slacken, bum, chill, dally, dillydally, footle, goldbrick, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), idle, laze, loaf, lounge, shirk, slack (off), veg out, bask, loll, relax, repose, rest, unwind, dabble

Word Forms of Strive

Inflections: strove, strived, striven, striving

Derived words: striver (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Strive

Middle English, to quarrel, contend, fight, endeavor, from Anglo-French estriver to quarrel, from estri, estrif strife strife

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Strive

What does "Strive" mean?

"Strive" means to devote serious effort or energy, endeavor. As a verb, it is defined as: to devote serious effort or energy, endeavor. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Strive"?

Other words for "Strive" include assay, attempt, endeavor, essay, seek, try, bang away and beaver (away). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Strive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Strive"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Strive". Common alternatives include assay, attempt, endeavor, essay, seek, try, bang away, beaver (away), dig (away) and drudge.

How do you use "Strive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Strive" in a sentence: "let us strive to make the most of this opportunity"; "not only must we strive for peace in time of war, we must strive mightily to maintain that peace".

Is "Strive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Strive" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Strive"?

"Strive" is pronounced /ˈstrīv/.

What is the origin of the word "Strive"?

"Strive" comes from Middle English, to quarrel, contend, fight, endeavor, from Anglo-French estriver to quarrel, from estri, estrif strife strife. First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "Strive" meaning "to make an effort to do"?

When "Strive" (verb) means to make an effort to do, synonyms include assay, attempt, endeavor, essay, seek and try.