释义 |
strive \ˈstrīv\ intransitive verb (strove \ˈstrōv\ ; also strived ; striv·en \ˈstrivən\ ; or strived or chiefly dialect strove ; striving ; strives) Etymology: Middle English striven, from Old French estriver to fight, contend, of Germanic origin; akin to obsolete Dutch strijven to contend, endeavor, Middle High German streben to endeavor, Greek striphnos firm, hard, Old Norse strītha to fight — more at stride 1. a. : to struggle in opposition or contention : carry on a conflict : contend, contest — used with against or with < we strive against butchers — Irwin Shaw > < strive not with your superiors in argument — George Washington > b. : to contend for dominance, mastery, or superiority : conduct war : fight c. : to compete as a rival : vie < grief and perplexity … strive within her — Anne D. Sedgwick > d. obsolete : to struggle against physical obstacles : buck opposing forces, resistance, or difficulty e. : to advance laboriously : make headway with effort : work < strove not only for the advancement of learning but also for the conversion of the heathen — Kemp Malone > 2. : to devote effort or energy : try hard or earnestly : attempt, endeavor — often used with an infinitive < strove to make the most of every minute — Osbert Sitwell > < a goal toward which he had always perseveringly striven > Synonyms: see try |