Strive: meaning, definitions and examples

💪

Add to dictionary

strive

[straɪv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

to achieve

to make a great effort to achieve something; to struggle or fight vigorously

Synonyms

attempt, endeavor, fight, struggle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
strive	Used when putting in a lot of effort to achieve something important or difficult. Often has a positive connotation, emphasizing determination and positive effort. She strives to be the best in her class They strive for equality in their community
attempt	Used to indicate a try at doing something, often without necessarily succeeding. It conveys a neutral connotation, neither positive nor negative. He made an attempt to climb the mountain Her first attempt at baking the cake was a failure
endeavor	Used for serious or long-term efforts, often in professional, academic, or creative contexts. It has a formal and positive tone. His new scientific endeavor has potential to change the world They are embarking on a new endeavor to improve public health
struggle	Used to describe a situation that is very difficult and requires a lot of effort, often implying hardship or a lack of success. It has a negative or challenging connotation. She struggles with balancing work and family life The community is struggling to recover after the natural disaster
fight	Used when confronting an obstacle or opposition, typically in a more aggressive or physical manner. It often has a contentious connotation. She had to fight for her rights The two companies are fighting for market dominance

Examples of usage

She strove to be the best in her class.
He strove for perfection in everything he did.
They strove against all odds to reach their goal.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

to try hard

to try very hard to do something or to make something happen, especially for a long time or against difficulties

Synonyms

endeavor, push oneself, struggle, work hard.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
strive	Used when making a great effort to achieve or obtain something, often implying a long-term goal or ambition. She strives to be the best in her class. They constantly strive for excellence in their work.
endeavor	Used in more formal contexts, often to describe a serious and sincere effort to achieve something. He is endeavoring to complete the project on time. Her scientific endeavors have resulted in groundbreaking discoveries.
struggle	Used when facing significant difficulty or hardship while trying to achieve something, often carries a slightly negative connotation. She struggled to keep her business afloat during the crisis. He struggled to understand the complex theories.
work hard	A general term used to describe putting in a lot of effort and diligence into a task or job. She works hard to support her family. They worked hard on their homework all night.
push oneself	Used to describe the act of challenging oneself to go beyond their usual limits, often in terms of personal development or physical activity. You have to push yourself to improve your fitness. He always pushes himself to excel in his career.

Examples of usage

She strove to overcome her fear of public speaking.
He strove to improve his skills through practice.
They strove to maintain a positive attitude despite the challenges.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

effort towards a goal

great efforts to achieve something, especially when the achievement is difficult or takes a long time

Synonyms

attempt, effort, endeavor, struggle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
strive	Use it when speaking about making a strong, determined effort towards a challenging goal. It carries a positive connotation of perseverance and hard work. She strives to be the best student in her class Scientists strive to discover new treatments for diseases
effort	Effort refers to the amount of energy or work put into an activity or task, often without implying success or failure. It highlights the action rather than the result. Your effort to help the community is appreciated It took a lot of effort to complete the project on time
attempt	This word is suitable for situations where someone is trying to do something, regardless of the outcome. It is often used to describe an initial or possibly unsuccessful effort. He attempted to climb the mountain but didn't reach the summit They are attempting to create a new software to solve the problem
endeavor	This word is used in more formal contexts to describe a serious attempt or important activity over a period. It often implies dedication and purpose. Their scientific endeavor will change the future of medical research The company is engaged in a new business endeavor
struggle	Struggle is used when describing a difficult or prolonged effort against challenges or obstacles. It often has a negative connotation, indicating hardship or difficulty. She struggled to cope with the loss of her pet The company is struggling to stay afloat during the economic downturn

Examples of usage

His strive for success led him to work tirelessly.
The team's strive for victory motivated them to train harder.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'estriver,' meaning 'to struggle or contend.'
Its roots can also be traced back to the Latin word 'extravere,' meaning 'to go beyond or break out.'
Initially used in English in the 14th century, it reflected effort and emphasis on hard work.

Literature

In many classic novels, characters who strive often overcome significant hurdles, showcasing resilience.
Shakespeare used themes of striving in plays like 'Hamlet', where characters grapple with deep internal conflicts.
Striving for excellence in literature is often linked to moral lessons about ambition and the consequences of one's actions.

Psychology

Research suggests that setting ambitious goals and striving toward them can significantly improve overall mental health.
The concept of 'growth mindset' is about striving for improvement, believing that effort can lead to success.
Striving can relate to intrinsic motivation, where the act itself is rewarding, rather than just focusing on the outcome.

Culture

In many cultures, the idea of striving has been celebrated as a virtue, often linked to success and happiness.
Eastern philosophies emphasize the balance between striving and acceptance of one's current state.
In modern society, striving is often portrayed in motivational speeches and self-help literature, inspiring people to pursue their dreams.

Sports

Athletes are often seen as examples of striving, pushing their limits to achieve peak performance.
The phrase 'strive for greatness' is common in sports, encouraging players to dedicate themselves fully to their craft.
Striving in sports teaches teamwork, discipline, and the importance of practice in achieving goals.

Translations

Translations of the word "strive" in other languages:

🇵🇹 esforçar-se

lutar
empenhar-se

🇮🇳 प्रयास करना

संघर्ष करना
कोशिश करना

🇩🇪 streben

sich bemühen
kämpfen

🇮🇩 berusaha

berjuang
berupaya

🇺🇦 прагнути

намагатися
боротися

🇵🇱 starać się

dążyć
walczyć

🇯🇵 努力する (どりょくする)

奮闘する (ふんとうする)
力を尽くす (ちからをつくす)

🇫🇷 s'efforcer

lutter
aspirer

🇪🇸 esforzarse

luchar
aspirar

🇹🇷 çabalamak

uğraşmak
gayret etmek

🇰🇷 노력하다 (노력하다)

분투하다 (분투하다)
애쓰다 (애쓰다)

🇸🇦 يسعى

يكافح
يجتهد

🇨🇿 usilovat

snažit se
bojovat

🇸🇰 usilovať sa

snažiť sa
bojovať

🇨🇳 努力 (nǔlì)

奋斗 (fèndòu)
争取 (zhēngqǔ)

🇸🇮 prizadevati si

truditi se
boriti se

🇮🇸 reyna

leggja sig fram
berjast

🇰🇿 талпыну

тырысу
күресу

🇬🇪 ეცადე

იბრძოლე
შეეცადე

🇦🇿 çalışmaq

mübarizə aparmaq
səy göstərmək

🇲🇽 esforzarse

luchar
aspirar

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,706 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.

...
7703 greeted
7704 platinum
7705 discarded
7706 strive
7707 skeleton
7708 fork
7709 influencing
...