strive

[strahyv]

verb (used without object)

strove, strived, striven, strived, striving. 

1. to exert oneself vigorously; try hard.

   He strove to make himself understood.

2. to make strenuous efforts toward any goal.

   to strive for success.

   Synonyms: toil

3. to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete.

   Synonyms: fight, struggle

4. to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance.

   to strive against fate.

5. to rival; vie.

strive

/ straɪv /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to make a great and tenacious effort

   to strive to get promotion

2. (intr) to fight; contend

Other Word Forms

• striver noun
• interstrive verb (used without object)
• outstrive verb (used with object)
• overstrive verb (used without object)
• restrive verb (used without object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of strive¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English striven from Old French estriver “to quarrel, compete, strive” from Germanic; compare obsolete Dutch strijven, German streben “to strive”

Word History and Origins

Origin of strive¹

C13: from Old French estriver, of Germanic origin; related to Middle High German streben to strive, Old Norse strītha to fight

Synonym Study

See try.

Example Sentences

The BTU union warned of staff being "hounded out of the business", but Lloyds spokesperson said it was "striving to embed a high-performance culture in the organisation".

From BBC

"This is somebody who's striving to be upfront and do the right thing," he said.

From BBC

But 'Project 150' is the bigger plan Berrada and the club ownership are striving to achieve.

From BBC

Violence against people of color — especially workers of color who dare strive for better conditions — was already baked into American history.

From Salon

I think in life, you've always got something you have to strive to do.

From BBC

Related Words

• aim 
• endeavor 
• go all out 
• seek 
• tackle