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 Catch up quick: Norris' January departure followed years of internal strife, including the 2021 firing of HR director Jim Nahas, who alleges whistleblower retaliation in an ongoing lawsuit against the county. Jason Clayworth, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025 More about Eli Tan Lauren Hirsch covers Wall Street for The Times, including M&A, executive changes, board strife and policy moves affecting business. Eli Tan, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 The expensive series, which was positioned as a flagship show with a global reach, has a history of ballooning budgets and creative strife, but still managed to snag a second season order. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025 Nevertheless, the civil strife was impossible to ignore. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strife
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strife
Noun
  • Successfully navigating such a challenge requires insight, tact and a willingness to examine not just your own behavior but also the underlying reasons behind the discord.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Henry's point that discord can be a path toward – rather than an obstacle to – love.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Orlando City and Atlanta United will meet on Saturday in a fierce rivalry MLS matchup, a game soccer fans in the U.S. won't want to miss.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Reflecting on their past as competing late-night talk show hosts, Leno said that the way the media portrayed their rivalry was not accurate.
    Liza Esquibias, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Shoppers encounter fewer steps, less friction and more trust signals, resulting in a higher likelihood of purchase completion.
    Shoplazza Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The flocked, velvet-like surface creates friction to prevent clothes from slipping.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Since then Hutchinson has maintained that the murders were committed by two home invaders and that the family was killed in a struggle.
    James Powel, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • The Tower is not always an omen of hardship and struggle.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • There have been no pauses in the conflict since Russia launched its unprovoked full-scale invasion in February 2022.
    Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Putin told Gerasimov on Saturday that Russia welcomed efforts from the U.S., China and BRICS countries to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
    Reuters, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lorna Romero Ferguson, a Republican political strategist based in Arizona, told the Washington Examiner that both parties are still going to have to battle over redistricting efforts and keep extremist candidates from the ballot box to stay competitive after the 2030 census.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
  • In short, Saturday's clash will bring to a head a battle between two families, two fighters caught in a war started by their fathers, and Eubank won't even have his by his side as they are still estranged.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Royals celebrate Easter: King Charles and Queen Camilla step out with family On April 17, the king used his annual Easter message to reflect on war, human suffering and the heroism of those who risk their lives to help others.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Hegseth has previously contended that no classified information or war plans were shared in the chat with the journalist.
    Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The idea is that these nodes can be quickly deployed where required by AUVs like Anduril's Dive-XL and then carry out surveillance and reconnaissance for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The group responded with the escalation of drone and missile warfare against the U.S. and Israel.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strife.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strife. Accessed 3 May. 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!