strive

verb \ ˈstrīv \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of strive

strove play \ˈstrōv\ also strived play \ˈstrīvd\; striven play \ˈstri-vən\ or strived; striving play \ˈstrī-viŋ\

intransitive verb

1 : to devote serious effort or energy : endeavor

strive to finish a project

2 : to struggle in opposition : contend

—

striver

play \ˈstrī-vər\ noun

See strive defined for English-language learners

See strive defined for kids

Examples of strive in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of strive from the Web

Named for the late artist and educator Bruce Groff, the Groff Exhibit strives to emulate the process and perspectives that shape the structure of the professional art world in San Diego County.

— Ramona Sentinel, "RHS student artist's abstract selected for regional exhibit," 15 May 2018
Goodyear Americas President Steve McClellan said the tire maker strives to be a leader in the industry for the benefit of its customers, community and environment.

— brittany nader, cleveland.com, "Goodyear wins Honda Supplier Sustainability Award," 9 May 2018
No longer would the company strive to make the world more open and connected.

— erin griffith, WIRED, "Facebook's New Focus on 'Community' Might Actually Depress You," 8 May 2018
But strive to create an approach that’s balanced, sustainable, and practical for your body’s needs.

— Health.com, "Carb Back-Loading Might Be the Next Big Weight Loss Trend—But Should You Try It?," 19 Apr. 2018
Like 19th century robber barons, today’s tech titans atone their excesses by offering handouts to a public torn between admiration and resentment, between capitalist striving and the daily grind of precarity.

— jacob silverman, Longreads, "The Billionaire Philanthropist," 13 Mar. 2018
Those wonderful people have strived and accomplished so much through how they were raised or through the inspiration around them.

— julie kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Auli'i Cravalho on Voicing Moana and Feeling Like Beyoncé," 30 Nov. 2016
The Recovering is a sprawling, compelling, fiercely ambitious book that considers excess with full control, and strives for both exceptionalism and utility at the same time.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Writing and Alcohol: A Reckoning," 6 Apr. 2018
The problem is, striving for equality only with respect to opportunity is myopic.

— vanessa bee, Daily Intelligencer, "How We Can Get a More Equal Union," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.