strive
verb
ˈstrīv 
strove ˈstrōv also strived ˈstrīvd ; striven ˈstri-vən or strived; striving ˈstrī-viŋ
also strived ˈstrīvd ; striven ˈstri-vən or strived; striving ˈstrī-viŋ intransitive verb
1
: to devote serious effort or energy : endeavor
strive to finish a project
2
: to struggle in opposition : contend
striver
ˈstrī-vər
noun 
Synonyms
- bang away
- beaver (away)
- dig (away)
- drudge
- endeavor
- fag
- grub
- hump
- hustle
- labor
- moil
- peg (away)
- plod
- plow
- plug
- slave
- slog
- strain
- struggle
- sweat
- toil
- travail
- tug
- work
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
We must all strive to do better. She always strives for perfection. They continue to strive toward their goals.
Recent Examples on the Web Gasper has called on the system’s 2,000 teachers, aides, nurses, custodians and others to incrementally work toward better outcomes, advising that every employee — himself included — should strive to regularly boost their performance by 2%. 
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Sep. 2022 The nascent fast-delivery sector—companies that strive to get products to customers in under 30 minutes—has been hit particularly hard. Preetika Rana, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2022 Do no harm, and strive to do good while creating prosperity Over the past several years, stakeholder capitalism has created an environment in which a company can’t be only about profits. Marie-caroline Chauvet, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2022 Each has their own things to work on and strive for from Hallett. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2022 Some of the most popular experiences that industry leaders should strive to deliver include: 1. Kyle Rand, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Each episode, the designers will compete in different challenges and strive for the top spot in hopes of being the last designer standing. Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 24 Aug. 2022 The series, which reimagines Kodansha’s legendary comic book series Parasyte, tells the story of unidentified parasitic life-forms that live off of human hosts and strive to grow their power. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2022 The story is about unidentified parasitic life-forms that live off human hosts and strive to grow their power. Patrick Frater, Variety, 23 Aug. 2022 See More
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Sep. 2022 The nascent fast-delivery sector—companies that strive to get products to customers in under 30 minutes—has been hit particularly hard. Preetika Rana, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2022 Do no harm, and strive to do good while creating prosperity Over the past several years, stakeholder capitalism has created an environment in which a company can’t be only about profits. Marie-caroline Chauvet, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2022 Each has their own things to work on and strive for from Hallett. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2022 Some of the most popular experiences that industry leaders should strive to deliver include: 1. Kyle Rand, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Each episode, the designers will compete in different challenges and strive for the top spot in hopes of being the last designer standing. Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 24 Aug. 2022 The series, which reimagines Kodansha’s legendary comic book series Parasyte, tells the story of unidentified parasitic life-forms that live off of human hosts and strive to grow their power. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2022 The story is about unidentified parasitic life-forms that live off human hosts and strive to grow their power. Patrick Frater, Variety, 23 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, to quarrel, contend, fight, endeavor, from Anglo-French estriver to quarrel, from estri, estrif strife — more at strife
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
strive
verb
ˈstrīv
strove
ˈstrōv
; striven ˈstri-vən
or strived; striving ˈstrī-viŋ
: to try very hard
We will strive to win.
striving 1 of 2
noun
as in struggle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- struggle
- try
- endeavor
- attempt
- undertaking
- bid
- offer
- go
- pass
- throes
- stab
- essay
- assay
- trial
- fling
- whack
- crack
- bash
- shot
- whirl
- trial and error
striving
2 of 2verb
1
as in struggling
to devote serious and sustained effort not only must we strive for peace in time of war, we must strive mightily to maintain that peace Synonyms & Similar Words
- struggling
- laboring
- working
- trying
- endeavoring
- toiling
- hustling
- tugging
- sweating
- drudging
- straining
- plowing
- travailing
- grubbing
- slaving
- plodding
- slogging
- humping
- moiling
- banging away
- fagging
- plugging
- sweating blood
- exerting
- attacking
- pegging (away)
- digging (away)
- driving
- beavering (away)
- exercising
- scratching
- essaying
- pitching in
- overexerting
- scrabbling
- overworking
- digging in
- trudging
- wading
- eking out
- knuckling down
- buckling (down)
- applying (oneself)
- hammering (away)
- putting out
- grinding (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- breaking
- slackening
- resting
- shirking
- easing (up)
- idling
- loafing
- lounging
- relaxing
- playing
- chilling
- letting up
- bumming
- hanging (around or out)
- basking
- hanging
- unwinding
- dallying
- lazing
- reposing
- dabbling
- slacking (off)
- hacking (around)
- dillydallying
- lolling
- goofing (off)
- goldbricking
- trifling
- footling
- doodling
- vegging out
- fooling around
- hanging about
- goofing (around)
- monkeying (around)
- puttering (around)
- fribbling
- pottering (around)
- messing around
2
as in trying
to make an effort to do let us strive to make the most of this opportunity Synonyms & Similar Words
- trying
- attempting
- seeking
- endeavoring
- struggling
- hoping
- aiming
- working
- shooting at
- essaying
- assaying
- toiling
- fighting
- aspiring
- shooting for
- undertaking
- troubling
- trying one's hand (at)
- having a go at
- straining
- assuming
- taking up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dropping
- quitting
- giving up