strive

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb strive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of strive are attempt, endeavor, essay, and try. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Where would attempt be a reasonable alternative to strive?

The words attempt and strive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

When is endeavor a more appropriate choice than strive?

Although the words endeavor and strive have much in common, endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When is it sensible to use essay instead of strive?

In some situations, the words essay and strive are roughly equivalent. However, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

How do try and attempt relate to one another, in the sense of strive?

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

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 strive Pope Francis' legacy is certainly one of striving for unity. Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025 Cheng Xin | Getty Images News As sky-high tariffs kill U.S. orders for Chinese goods, the country has been striving to help exporters divert sales to the domestic market — a move that threatens to drive the world’s second-largest economy into deeper deflation. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 May 2025 All proceeds from the trip will go towards Variety Cares, the company’s nonprofit foundation, which supports initiatives striving for clean oceans, gender equality, and education. Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2025 Growing Global Demand For Automation Companies from different industries are striving to increase efficiency, reduce costs and solve the problem of labor shortages. Anton Alikov, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strive
Verb
  • Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki has struggled with his command in his stateside debut.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
  • Too often over the last few years, the Red Sox have struggled to dispatch bad teams.
    Gabrielle Starr, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Boldly trying new recipes for dinner though neither knows how to cook.
    Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • The Tribunal will have the power to investigate, prosecute and try Russian political and military leaders, who bear the greatest responsibility for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
    Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Car loans have grown steadily longer in recent years, as buyers labor to keep pace with rising prices.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Holmes labored through four innings and the Dodgers welcomed Braves reliever Enyel De Los Santos with three hits and another run in the fifth, Will Smith driving it in with a two-out single.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Police allege that shortly after midnight on April 19, Jones and Upshaw approached a Richmond resident on the 500 block of 18th Street in Uptown Oakland, and attempted to rob him for a diamond necklace.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 May 2025
  • Clean out the expired sunscreen first before attempting to recycle the container.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • But the people who worked alongside us all those years responded with ear-to-ear grins.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
  • Andersen, who wrote and directed the movie, is also a seasoned producer (Everest, Lone Survivor) and activist who has worked extensively with refugees in Syria, Jordan, and beyond.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • As companies endeavor to scale responsibly, meeting customer expectations for security is essential.
    Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • The lawsuit, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges that the administration violated hundreds of laws and bypassed congressional authority by endeavoring to consolidate the number of HHS agencies from 28 to 15 and initiating layoffs of around 20,000 employees.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strive. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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