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

UC officials said they strive to protect employee privacy and were required to share information with the department because it enforces civil rights law on campuses.

From Los Angeles Times

Bettag believes CBS News has to do a better job of getting the public to understand the editorial process and how it strives for accuracy and fairness to counter the right-wing narrative of media bias.

From Los Angeles Times

He added that the company is striving to make sure "every Jellycat arrives in tip top condition, build to last, and made responsibly".

From BBC

There were some carers who strove to make the lives of residents better and who managed to carve out time in their busy days to engage but those moments were few and far between.

From BBC

Hugh Adams, from Brain Tumour Research, said Molly's case was "uniquely challenging", adding faster diagnosis was "something we have to strive for".

From BBC

Related Words

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