strive

[ strahyv ]

verb (used without object)

, strove [strohv] or strived, striv·en [striv, -, uh, n] or strived, striv·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈstriver, noun

Other Words From

• striv·er noun
• in·ter·strive verb (used without object) interstrove interstriven interstriving
• out·strive verb (used with object) outstrove outstriven outstriving
• o·ver·strive verb (used without object) overstrove overstriven overstriving
• re·strive verb (used without object) restrove restriven restriving

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.

Related Words

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