Synonyms of strove

strove

verb

variants also strived

past tense of strive

1

as in struggled

to devote serious and sustained effort

not only must we strive for peace in time of war, we must strive mightily to maintain that peace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• struggled
• labored
• endeavored
• worked
• tried
• toiled
• tugged
• hustled
• dug (away)
• plowed
• sweat
• slaved
• grubbed
• plodded
• pegged (away)
• travailed
• humped
• strained
• slogged
• fagged
• plugged
• drudged
• banged away
• sweat blood
• essayed
• applied (oneself)
• moiled
• exerted
• buckled (down)
• attacked
• beavered (away)
• pitched in
• exercised
• drove
• hammered (away)
• dug in
• scratched
• eked out
• waded
• scrabbled
• knuckled down
• ground (out)
• trudged
• overworked
• put out
• overexerted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• broke
• slackened
• eased (up)
• let up
• shirked
• lounged
• hung (around or out)
• rested
• loafed
• chilled
• dallied
• relaxed
• lazed
• idled
• hacked (around)
• basked
• bummed
• slacked (off)
• goofed (off)
• hung
• lolled
• reposed
• played
• unwound
• trifled
• dabbled
• vegged out
• fooled around
• messed around
• dillydallied
• goldbricked
• doodled
• hung about
• goofed (around)
• footled
• puttered (around)
• monkeyed (around)
• pottered (around)
• fribbled

2

as in tried

to make an effort to do

let us strive to make the most of this opportunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tried
• attempted
• sought
• endeavored
• essayed
• shot at
• assayed
• hoped
• struggled
• toiled
• worked
• aimed
• fought
• aspired
• had a go at
• tried one's hand (at)
• undertook
• troubled
• assumed
• strained
• took up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dropped
• quit
• gave up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of strove

In a unique crossover, the artists and designers all strived for softness and calm to counteract the hustle and bustle of London. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

But Hegseth’s DoD has more recently strived to increase production by incentivizing smaller companies and startups to build cheap-yet-effective weapons. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 8 Aug. 2026

One collection that has really strived to highlight unique and specific flavors, however, is the Harmony Collection, and the latest release is a pair of single malts that are supposed to taste like coconut. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2026

This, together with the elegant, homely decor, is symbolic of the kind of singular community this hotel has strived to create. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Emily Barker Barker, 38, had so much spirit, and the people around her always strived to be a better person by her presence, said Sarah Brubeck Schnurbusch, a friend and former roommate. — Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Still, Wyper strived mightily to give the impression that Stonepeak is a reasonable outfit. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

The artist strived to put René-Charles ahead of her career, taking on a Las Vegas residency to offer him a more stable upbringing. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 20 June 2026

The historic example that millions of you gave the world about what this imperfect democracy has strived for and achieved, and an urgent call to go out there and do it again. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 2026