strive

strive

intransitive verb \ˈstrīv\

strove \ˈstrōv\ also strived \ˈstrīvd\ striv·en \ˈstri-vən\ or strivedstriv·ing \ˈstrī-viŋ\

Definition of STRIVE

1

: to devote serious effort or energy : endeavor <strive to finish a project>

2

: to struggle in opposition : contend

— striv·er \ˈstrī-vər\ noun

Examples of STRIVE

1. We must all strive to do better.
2. She always strives for perfection.
3. They continue to strive toward their goals.

Origin of STRIVE

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to STRIVE

Synonyms

bang away, beaver (away), dig (away), drudge, endeavor, fag, grub, hump, hustle, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strain, labor, struggle, sweat, toil, travail, tug, work

Related Words

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 Antonyms

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

See Synonym Discussion at attempt

Rhymes with STRIVE

chive, Clive, dive, drive, five, gyve, hive, jive, live, rive, shrive, skive, thrive, wive