strive
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strive¹
- /ˈstɹaɪv/
Rhymes with -aɪv
Where it comes from
From Middle English striven (“to strive”), from Old French estriver (“to compete, quarrel”), from Frankish *strīban (“to exert, make an effort”) from Proto-Germanic *strībaną, or from Frankish *stribēn (“to strive”) from Proto-Germanic *stribāną.
As this verb is conjugated as if it were a strong verb (like drive, ride, and write), it is possible this word may instead be inherited from an unattested Old English *strīfan or *strifian, which would itself also be inherited from Proto-Germanic *strībaną.
verb strives · striving · strove · strived · striven
- To try to achieve a result; to make strenuous effort; to try earnestly and persistently. He strove to excel.
- To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute; to contend; to contest. to strive against fate
- To vie; to compete as a rival. [Not] that sweet grove Of Daphne, by Orontes and the inspired Castalian spring, might with this paradise Of Eden strive.
Similar: put, keep, &c. one's nose to the grindstone, put one's back into, give 110%, break one's back, work hard, apply oneself, put one's shoulder to the wheel
strive²
- /ˈstɹaɪv/
Rhymes with -aɪv
noun strives
- Alternative form of strife
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: endeavor, endeavour, reach, strain, endeavouring, effort, try, exert, attempt, pursue, compete, engage, contend, quest, seek, achieve
Translations
Every language
verb to sincerely try to achieve, to make one's best effort
| Español | esforzarse por, afanar, aplicarse, romperse el lomo, deslomarse, luchar por |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 노력하다 noryeokhada, 애쓰다 aesseuda |
| 日本語 | 努力する doryoku suru, 闘う tatakau, 努める tsutomeru, 奮闘する funtō suru |
| 中文 | 努力 nǔlì, 奮鬥 /奋斗 fèndòu, 殫力 /殚力 dānlì, 力圖 /力图 lìtú, 掙 /挣 zhèng |
| हिन्दी | प्रयास करना prayās karnā, उद्यम करना udyam karnā |
| Português | esforçar-se, batalhar, aplicar-se |
| Français | s'efforcer, s'appliquer |
| Deutsch | streben, sich bemühen, sich anstrengen, ringen um, sich einsetzen für |
| Italiano | sforzarsi, cercare, ambire, arrabattarsi, ingegnarsi, adoperarsi |
| Русский | стреми́ться stremítʹsja, стара́ться starátʹsja, боро́ться borótʹsja, прилага́ть уси́лия prilagátʹ usílija, закатать рукава zakatatʹ rukava |
| Tiếng Việt | cố gắng |
| العربية | كَافَحَ kāfaḥa, اِجْتَهَدَ ijtahada, نَاضَلَ nāḍala, حَرَصَ ḥaraṣa, جَدَّ jadda, جَاهَدَ jāhada |
verb to struggle in opposition
| Español | bregar, pugnar |
|---|---|
| Français | combattre |
| Deutsch | ringen mit, sich einsetzen gegen |
| Italiano | lottare, battersi |
| Русский | бороться borotʹsja |
| العربية | جَاهَدَ jāhada |
Talk about this word "strive." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/strive. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. strive. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/strive "strive." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/strive.Cite this
@misc{strive_2026,
title = {strive},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/strive},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
