strive
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to exert oneself vigorously; try hard.
He strove to make himself understood.
-
to make strenuous efforts toward any goal.
to strive for success.
- Synonyms:
- toil
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to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete.
-
to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance.
to strive against fate.
-
to rival; vie.
verb
-
(may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to make a great and tenacious effort
to strive to get promotion
-
(intr) to fight; contend
Synonym Usage
See try.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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overstriveverb (used without object)
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strivernoun
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outstriveverb (used with object)
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restriveverb (used without object)
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interstriveverb (used without object)
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has strivenperfect 3rd person singular
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has strivedperfect 3rd person singular
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have strivedperfect
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is strivingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have strivenperfect
-
am strivingprogressive 1st person singular
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are strivingprogressive
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strivessingular 3rd person
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has been strivingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
have been strivingperfect progressive
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strivingparticiple
Past
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had strivenperfect
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had strivedperfect
-
was strivingprogressive singular
-
had been strivingperfect progressive
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were strivingprogressive plural
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strivedsimple
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strivedparticiple
-
strovesimple
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strivenparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of strive
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”
Explanation
To strive is to endeavor, reach, or strain for something above or beyond. We strive for self-improvement, a better world, or success in general. The Old French origin of this word, estriver ("quarrel," "dispute"), had its 800th birthday not too long ago. Though it shares its roots with strife ("conflict"), it changed over the years (centuries, actually) to describe something more like a conflict with oneself, the attempt to overcome limitations and stay focused on a goal, regardless of whatever quarrels or disputes come up.
Vocabulary lists containing strive
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin
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"The Hill We Climb," by Amanda Gorman
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Strive raised money earlier this year to buy bitcoin at an average price more than 10% above its current level.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025
Crypto-exposed stocks rose, including Strive by 35%, Strategy by 2.7%, and Coinbase Global by 1.1%.
From Barron's • Oct. 27, 2025
They adopted the "A$AP" title, which means "Always Strive and Prosper".
From BBC • Feb. 19, 2025
The Strive for Greatness U16 team, coached by James and recently retired NBA great Rajon Rondo, went 3-1 at the prestigious tournament, but failed to advance out of pool play because of point differential.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2023
Strive as he might, he could not banish it.
From A Romance of Wastdale by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
