Strife: meaning, definitions and examples

⚔️
Add to dictionary

strife

 

[ straɪf ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

conflict situation

Strife refers to the bitter conflict, struggle, or discord that arises between individuals, groups, or nations. It often implies prolonged or intense disagreements or clashes that can lead to violence or social upheaval. Strife is usually marked by a lack of harmony and can encompass various forms of disputes, whether they are political, social, or personal in nature. The term highlights the severity and depth of discord rather than mere disagreements.

Synonyms

conflict, discord, dispute, friction, struggle

Examples of usage

  • The strife between the two neighbors escalated over noise complaints.
  • Political strife has caused instability in the region.
  • Their strife was compounded by differing values and beliefs.
  • The workers went on strike to resolve labor strife with management.

Translations

Translations of the word "strife" in other languages:

🇵🇹 conflito

🇮🇳 संघर्ष

🇩🇪 Konflikt

🇮🇩 perselisihan

🇺🇦 суперечка

🇵🇱 spór

🇯🇵 争い

🇫🇷 conflit

🇪🇸 conflicto

🇹🇷 çatışma

🇰🇷 갈등

🇸🇦 صراع

🇨🇿 spor

🇸🇰 spor

🇨🇳 冲突

🇸🇮 spopad

🇮🇸 átök

🇰🇿 дауласып

🇬🇪 ბრძოლა

🇦🇿 mübarizə

🇲🇽 conflicto

Etymology

The word 'strife' originates from the Old French term 'estrife', which means 'quarrel' or 'struggle'. It can be traced further back to the Latin word 'discrepare', meaning 'to disagree' or 'to be discordant'. This Latin root reflects the essence of strife as a state of disagreement or conflict. The usage of the term in English began around the 14th century, encapsulating concepts of competition and rivalry. Over time, strife has been used in both secular and religious contexts, often to describe the struggles faced at an individual or collective level, especially in terms of moral or ethical dilemmas. In literature and rhetoric, strife is commonly employed to depict human conflict and the tumultuous nature of social dynamics.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,270 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.