strife

noun

ˈstrīf 

1

a

: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension

political strife

b

: an act of contention : fight, struggle

2

: exertion or contention for superiority

3

archaic : earnest endeavor

strifeless

ˈstrī-fləs 

adjective

Synonyms of strife

• discord
• friction
• conflict
• war
• discordance
• warfare
• schism
• dissent
• discordancy

Choose the Right Synonym for strife

discord, strife, conflict, contention, dissension, variance mean a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony.

discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

Examples of strife in a Sentence

in order to avoid family strife, the children spend equal time during the holidays with both of their grandmothers

bitter strife between the two political factions

Recent Examples on the Web

The core elements—airy melodies, drug talk, copious ad-libs—are old hat, but frank tales of suburban ennui and romantic strife give the Minneapolis rapper’s latest album a refreshingly personal air. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

There have been reports of internal strife at the London bureau at CBS News over the tone of its Middle East coverage since Bari Weiss, a strong supporter of Israel, took over as the network’s editor in chief last year. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Attorney General James Uthmeier is bringing plenty of strife to Discord, the messaging and gaming platform. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Australia was in strife at 124-6 on day one but his 190 turned the momentum. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English strif, from Anglo-French estrif, estri, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch striden to fight, Old High German strītan to quarrel — more at stride

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for strife

• knife
• life
• rife
• wife
• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• midlife

Kids Definition

strife

noun

ˈstrīf 

1

: bitter sometimes violent disagreement

political strife

2

: struggle entry 2 sense 2, fight