strive

verb

ˈstrīv 

strove ˈstrōv  also strived ˈstrīvd  ; striven ˈstri-vən  or strived; striving ˈstrī-viŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to devote serious effort or energy : endeavor

strive to finish a project

2

: to struggle in opposition : contend

striver

ˈstrī-vər 

noun

Synonyms

• try
• attempt

Choose the Right Synonym for strive

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end.

attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

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

endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Examples of strive in a Sentence

We must all strive to do better.

She always strives for perfection.

They continue to strive toward their goals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dispelling shame and striving for equality was a strategy used by fourteen women. —JSTOR Daily, 13 Oct. 2025

There are real-life implications, however, when spreading a message that women should only strive to please men and men should only see the women in their lives in one way. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025

The goalie, who strives to be in the Vezina Trophy conversation year after year and to lead the Wild to a Stanley Cup, loves Minnesota and loves playing for the Wild, in large part because of the defensive structure in front of him. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Yet Leto never shakes the role’s robotic nature, even as his character strives to become more human, and his acting partners struggle to play off that in a meaningful way. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to quarrel, contend, fight, endeavor, from Anglo-French estriver to quarrel, from estri, estrif strife — more at strife

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for strive

• dive
• drive
• five
• hive
• jive
• live
• thrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive

Kids Definition

strive

verb

ˈstrīv 

strove ˈstrōv  also strived ˈstrīvd  ; striven ˈstriv-ən  or strived; striving ˈstrī-viŋ 

1

: to try hard : endeavor

strive to win

2

: to struggle against : contend

striver

ˈstrī-vər 

noun