Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make a great and serious effort to achieve something or to overcome a difficulty.
   • To struggle or fight vigorously against something.

Usage

The verb "strive" is used to describe putting forth significant and sustained effort, often towards a challenging goal or in opposition to a force. It is a formal and strong word. It is commonly followed by the prepositions "for," "to," or "against."

Examples

• Strive for + noun: Indicates effort directed towards achieving a goal.
  • She strives for excellence in everything she does.
  • The team continues to strive for perfection.
• Strive to + verb: Indicates effort directed towards performing an action.
  • We must strive to understand different perspectives.
  • He strove to finish the project on time.
• Strive against + noun: Indicates effort to resist or overcome an obstacle.
  • The community strove against the new regulations.
  • They strove against overwhelming odds.

Advanced Usage

• "to strive after": Similar to "strive for," meaning to try hard to achieve or obtain something, often something idealistic.
  • Philosophers strive after truth.
• "to strive together": To work jointly and earnestly towards a common goal.
  • The nations must strive together for peace.

Variants and Related Words

• Striver (noun): A person who works hard to achieve something.
  • She is a determined striver who never gives up.
• Strove (verb): The simple past tense of "strive."
  • He strove for years to master the technique.
• Striven (verb): The past participle of "strive."
  • They have striven to build a better future.

Synonyms

• Endeavor: To try hard to do or achieve something.
• Attempt: To make an effort to achieve or complete something.
• Struggle: To make a forceful effort to get free or to achieve something under difficult conditions.
• Labor: To work hard, especially physically.

Phrasal Verbs

• Strive for: To try very hard to achieve or get something.
  • All great leaders strive for a better world.
• Strive against: To fight or struggle in opposition to something.
  • The rebels strove against the oppressive regime.

Related Idioms

• "To strive might and main": To try with all one's strength and energy. (Archaic/formal)
  • They strove might and main to save the old building from demolition.

Verb

1. to exert much effort or energy
   • straining our ears to hear
2. attempt by employing effort
   • we endeavor to make our customers happy