STRIVE Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'strive' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of strive are attempt , endeavor , essay , and try . While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort. // continues to strive for peace

Q: Where would 'attempt' be a reasonable alternative to 'strive'?

The words attempt and strive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort. // will attempt to photograph the rare bird

Q: When is 'endeavor' a more appropriate choice than 'strive'?

Although the words endeavor and strive have much in common, endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty. // endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

Q: When is it sensible to use 'essay' instead of 'strive'?

In some situations, the words essay and strive are roughly equivalent. However, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting. // will essay a dramatic role for the first time

Q: How do 'try' and 'attempt' relate to one another, in the sense of 'strive'?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something. // tried to determine which was the better procedure

strive

verb

ˈstrīv

Definition of strive next

as in to struggle

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to try

to make an effort to do let us strive to make the most of this opportunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb strive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of strive are attempt, endeavor, essay, and try. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Where would attempt be a reasonable alternative to strive?

The words attempt and strive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

When is endeavor a more appropriate choice than strive?

Although the words endeavor and strive have much in common, endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

When is it sensible to use essay instead of strive?

In some situations, the words essay and strive are roughly equivalent. However, essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

How do try and attempt relate to one another, in the sense of strive?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of strive Khloé Kardashian is striving to give her kids the best possible life. —

Hannah Sacks, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025 For many families, striving to meet the ever-evolving needs of our children has become a near-impossible task. —

Katrina Donham, Parents, 21 Jan. 2025 His quest is our quest: the ceaseless striving to live out our true creed. —

Suzette Hackney, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025 This parallels the experience in Ukraine, where drone makers have been striving to establish local production, increasingly been making batteries and other components themselves. —

David Hambling, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for strive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strive

Verb

Despite prior efforts to offer retention bonuses, the BOP has struggled to retain employees in the face of mounting challenges.

— Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
But these same models sometimes struggle with basic tasks, like arithmetic or writing metered poetry.

— Kevin Roose, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025