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
-
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
-
overstriveverb (used without object)
-
strivernoun
-
outstriveverb (used with object)
-
restriveverb (used without object)
-
interstriveverb (used without object)
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has strivenperfect 3rd person singular
-
has strivedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have strivedperfect
-
is strivingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have strivenperfect
-
am strivingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are strivingprogressive
-
strivessingular 3rd person
-
has been strivingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
have been strivingperfect progressive
-
strivingparticiple
Past
-
had strivenperfect
-
had strivedperfect
-
was strivingprogressive singular
-
had been strivingperfect progressive
-
were strivingprogressive plural
-
strivedsimple
-
strivedparticiple
-
strovesimple
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Hill We Climb," by Amanda Gorman
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“It is essential that we preserve what is good about these institutions, even as we strive to improve them,” he said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026
"The answer is we strive towards all of these," LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd told BBC Sport in 2024.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
Comprehensive peace in the region is an admirable goal, one that the U.S. should strive toward.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
The legroom, soft carpet and starry ceiling—a feature borrowed from Rolls-Royce—gave me that pampered feeling luxury carmakers strive for.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026
Ben once said something about how resourceful she is, and that we should all strive to do our work like her.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
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.
