strive

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 Groups that strive to improve the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Rancho Bernardo can apply for up to $10,000 in grants that will be awarded later this year. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025 That prompted a slew of global investment banks to raise their forecasts for China’s economic growth this year while paring back expectations for more proactive stimulus as Beijing strives to reach its growth target of around 5%. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 May 2025 An architectural marvel has landed on the rental market in sunny Los Angeles, California, where residents strive to be unique in their own little ways. Tj MacIas, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025 His medals are gathering dust in a drawer back home, and that speaks volumes for his mentality — never too high, never too low, never looking too far back or too far ahead, forever striving to stay in the moment. Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for strive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strive
Verb
  • Experts predict an increase in space tourism over the coming decades, potentially accelerating global warming in a world already struggling to combat its effects.
    Sheetal Khedkar Rao, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • While many companies have struggled to define their policies, bouncing between strict return-to-office mandates and hybrid compromises, Logitech has taken a different path.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Two years later, he was tried again and found guilty of felony murder and second-degree kidnapping.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • The scenes of poor Pabst trying to help her while suffering the glare of her implacable egocentricity are perhaps the funniest—and, in some ways, the saddest—in the novel.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Brightline has labored to increase ridership along its 170-mile extension to Orlando from West Palm Beach.
    David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
  • Each creator contributed immensely to American art and culture, while laboring in an industry that, until recently, produced very little financial rewards or respect.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The Premier League attempted to broker an agreement but after exhausting all avenues the only option available in the time frame was to play at Joie Stadium.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • One autumn afternoon, while a father, Nicholas, is distracted, his young son attempts to carry a large pumpkin down a flight of stairs.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Truman graduated from Texas Tech six months ago and now works for the Texas Senate under Senator Brian Birdwell on the border security committee.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • The job demanded long hours on my feet and working with my hands.
    Health, Health, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • To that end, a new institution, the League of Nations, would provide collective security for its members, confront aggression (with military force if necessary), and endeavor to improve the lot of humanity.
    Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
  • With her new book, Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves (out April 29 from Penguin Press), Gilbert looks back at the late 1990s and early aughts, endeavoring to find out what happened to feminism in the early 21st century.
    Josh Zajdman, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strive. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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