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 What follows is a Succession-like drama as his four adult children — Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Ben (Fionn O'Shea) — each strive to make their mark on the family business. Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025 As the son of Hades relentlessly striving to escape from the underworld, failure sends players back to the start; but never empty-handed. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 Over one intense day, the devoted head teacher (Cillian Murphy) of a last-chance reform school strives to keep his students in line while facing pressures of his own. Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 27 Sep. 2025 Mittman encourages companies to strive to offer accommodations, such as teleworking options and mental health assistance, to the visually impaired. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strive
Verb
  • Some experts liken it to trying to spot a snowball in a snowstorm.
    Dr. Megha Gupta, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Overseas activists have tried to deliver aid in the past to Gaza but have either been intercepted by Israeli forces or come under some form of attack.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The arrival of Clark and other high-profile young players have contributed to a boom in popularity for the long-struggling league.
    Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Broncos are 2-2 and coming off a dominating 28-3 victory over the struggling Cincinnati Bengals.
    Hunter Simpson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • All the while, guests learn the lore of the buildings and even attempt to communicate with the spirits that haunt them.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set out across the Mediterranean with more than 40 boats carrying about 500 activists, was the largest yet to attempt to break Israel’s blockade of the enclave, according to the AP.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These women, many of whom worked in relative obscurity for all their lives, labored to redefine the rights and dignity of all people.
    Time, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Hammond labored 50 hours over a two week span to create her project.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Every single day, it's been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The individual was discovered inside one of the main landing gear compartments while the maintenance crew was working on the aircraft, which had arrived from Europe, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a news release.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After we are born, our parents and society endeavor to prepare us for life.
    Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Padilla endeavored to make his mark early.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strive. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on strive

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