strive

verb

ˈstrīv

strove ˈstrōv

also strived ˈstrīvd

; striven ˈstri-vən

or strived; striving ˈstrī-viŋ

Synonyms of strive next

intransitive verb

: to devote serious effort or energy : endeavor

strive to finish a project

: to struggle in opposition : contend

striver

ˈstrī-vər

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for strive

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end.

attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

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 on the Web The answer to Tumblr’s monetization problems might lie in actually focusing on those people who want to be there rather than striving for some untapped base of new users. —

WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023 Digital products should strive to deliver that experience level, and that starts with marketing playing a greater role across in- and out-of-product experiences. —

Tifenn Dano Kwan, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 She’s strived to live by that motto ever since his death. —

Valentina Valentini, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2023 The answer is that even leading journals such as Nature strive for attention. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023 Eco-Friendly Organizing Is Here to Stay Like getting organized itself, striving for sustainable storage solutions is looking less like a trend and more like a permanent mindset. —

Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2023 There is a residual tension in early representations of Ardhanarishvara, where Shiva is shown with an erect phallus, suggesting that the figure itself is still straining against resolution, striving for the division that creates desire and regeneration. —

Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023 Cutting out the distraction is the only way to enter that near-meditative state that all good hunters strive for. —

Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 9 Nov. 2023 Homeowners should strive to increase their credit score before refinancing, experts said. —

Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.