STRIFE Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'strife' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strife are conflict , contention , discord , dissension , and variance . While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'conflict' instead of 'strife'?

While the synonyms conflict and strife are close in meaning, 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

Q: In what contexts can 'contention' take the place of 'strife'?

The words contention and strife can be used in similar contexts, but contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy. // several points of contention about the new zoning law

Q: When could 'discord' be used to replace 'strife'?

While in some cases nearly identical to strife , discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism. // a political party long racked by discord

Q: When might 'dissension' be a better fit than 'strife'?

The words dissension and strife are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions. // religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Q: When would 'variance' be a good substitute for 'strife'?

In some situations, the words variance and strife are roughly equivalent. However, 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

strife

noun

ˈstrīf

Definition of strife

as in discord

a lack of agreement or harmony in order to avoid family strife, the children spend equal time during the holidays with both of their grandmothers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another bitter strife between the two political factions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun strife contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strife are conflict, contention, discord, dissension, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," 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

When is it sensible to use conflict instead of strife?

While the synonyms conflict and strife are close in meaning, 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

In what contexts can contention take the place of strife?

The words contention and strife can be used in similar contexts, but contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When could discord be used to replace strife?

While in some cases nearly identical to strife, discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When might dissension be a better fit than strife?

The words dissension and strife are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When would variance be a good substitute for strife?

In some situations, the words variance and strife are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of strife The earthquakes have compounded problems created by years of economic and political strife, particularly for the overwhelmed healthcare system. — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 His proposal had underscored the shaky autonomy of the civilian group, which has clashed with the police officers union, city leaders and former chiefs — not to mention internal strife between commissioners — in the decade since voters overwhelmingly approved its formation. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 24 June 2026 His Yanks might have won the World Series in 1994, Showalter’s third year, if that World Series hadn’t been canceled by labor strife. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 June 2026 The tabloids have been extra vicious of late regarding your family strife. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for strife

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strife

Noun

His removal sparked public protests and discord within the Ukrainian military, with Fedorov making an outspoken attack on the chief of the armed forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, on Thursday.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
The Administration has already undermined the agreement in many ways, experts tell TIME, citing the discord in February, when the bloc had to freeze the implementation of the agreement after Trump made additional tariff threats.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of discord

Noun

The rivalry has seemingly extended beyond Brazil vs Argentina to Ronaldo vs Messi, too.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
But even ragged with a slippery ball, the Springboks still blanked Wales in successive matches for the first time since the first two matches in this rivalry, in 1906 and 1912.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

This modern methodology, also frequently employed by ascendent jazz jammers SML, adds artful friction to the Prairiewolf terroir.

— Reed Jackson, SPIN, 17 July 2026
Opportunities Using Business Frameworks AI opportunities shouldn't arise from a haphazard list of use cases but should start with a methodical examination of where value is created and where friction exists.

— Michael Chavira, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of friction

Noun

Clifford was impressed with Acuff’s ability to play through his early struggles.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
Older students and professionals face an existential struggle to find a job, according to Yahya Alhamarna, a 24-year-old author displaced in Gaza City.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

The oil crisis brought on by the conflict in Iran has also boosted demand for China’s clean energy technology such as batteries and electric vehicles, as major energy importers have sought ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
This puts the big conflict of the episode into a different sort of relief.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 July 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

The group believes the Iranian regime has ramped up executions under the cover of war.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
The announcement comes as rising geopolitical tensions, including wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, spur governments to rearm and reinvest in domestic industrial capacity.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of war

Noun

As drone warfare becomes the new normal, analysts say all these adaptations and lessons from cities like Nikopol could inform the future of Western defense.

— Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
The principal of my Christian high school regularly attributed world happenings—terrorist attacks, presidents elected or not elected, the price of gas—to unseen spiritual warfare.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Definition of warfare

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“Strife.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strife. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of strife

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