strife

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 singer has been compared to the late Amy Winehouse, in part because both are British and have deep, soulful voices that sing about personal strife and conflict. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025 The uncertainty surrounding the media landscape makes the possibility of a season lost to labor strife in 2027 feel more remote. Andy McCullough, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Indeed, even if it wasn't packed with strife and evil the way Pandora's was. Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025 Lawrence added overlooking war and strife in a far-off land risked the same happening at home. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strife
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strife
Noun
  • Trustees ‘feel their powers have been reduced’ At the center of the current discord, according to a source, is the fact that Tata Sons is supposed to receive prior approval from Tata Trusts for any major financial investments.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
  • To what was such a spasmodic discord owed?
    Julio Cortázar, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But international rivalry between the United States and Canada, rekindled last season with two memorable games in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, will also take center stage in February when the NHL will break for players’ participation in the Winter Olympics for the first time in over a decade.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Set in 1980s England, the series follows the rivalry of two men who come to a head.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Several of her cabinet picks have close ties to Taiwan, risking friction with Beijing, Japan’s top trading partner.
    Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • A lot of that deliberate friction comes from the characterization of Linda herself, who compulsively makes her problems everyone else’s.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While the murderous struggle is hard to hear in the video, the barking continued for several minutes and is unmistakable.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Often taunted by tabloids for her unsmiling demeanor, Victoria shows off her sense of humor and gets real about some of the most difficult parts of her past, including her struggles with an eating disorder and almost losing her fashion business entirely.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • If the peace holds, the region could enter a new era defined less by conflict than by the possibility of transformation, including the rebuilding of a post-Hamas Gaza and the normalization of Israeli relations with Saudi Arabia.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Both led their people through seemingly impossible conflicts with grace and the ethos of nonviolence.
    Janine Di Giovanni, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The battle of the rotations Pretty much every night, their starting pitcher was better than your starting pitcher.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • That includes research presentations on hip-hop, identity and activism, interactive workshops in education and creative practice, and a freestyle dance battle.
    Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • From migrants and colonizers to gossip and war, Emily Wilson examines The Aeneid and its relevance to the modern world.
    tumblr.com, tumblr.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • But our flights had been canceled amid rocket fire and regional escalation, fallout from Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and its war with Iran.
    Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The continent is scrambling to build the necessary capacities to defend against drones, highlighting not only its lagging technology but also how rapidly warfare has shifted to the use of unmanned aircraft.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • But does this signal not just tactical innovation, but a shift toward a new era of hybrid naval warfare?
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strife.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strife. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on strife

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!