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 The new season finds Mo striving toward growth: moving out of his mom’s house, learning to work alongside his mildly autistic brother, Sameer (Omar Elba). —

Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2025 The Outreach Award of €30,000 will go to an independent production company or director for an innovative project at the end of production or in post-production, striving to engage audiences internationally and promote public awareness of experimental projects. —

Leo Barraclough, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025 His administration will also strive to plant 4,500 trees and reduce municipal water use by 20 million gallons. —

Elliott Wenzler, The Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2025 True to this commitment, Angelou’s surviving drafts show a writer striving to place the story of her assault and its aftermath at the heart of her narrative. —

TIME, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for strive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strive

Verb

Sweden has been struggling with a wave of shootings and bombings caused by an endemic gang crime problem but fatal attacks at schools are rare.

— Johan Ahlander and Simon Johnson, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
This breakthrough has palpable potential for the industry, still struggling to combat the enduring deluge of garments destined for landfill or incineration.

— Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2025