Definition

1. Verb (past tense of ):
   • To make great efforts: "strove" indicates that someone tried very hard to achieve something, often facing difficulties or challenges.
   • To struggle or contend: It can also mean to fight or compete against something or someone.

Usage Examples

• (She made a great effort to complete the race.)
• (They worked hard to achieve peace.)
• (He struggled physically against the force of the water.)

Advanced Usage

• "strove to overcome": to make a determined effort to defeat a problem or obstacle.

  • The team strove to overcome their financial difficulties. (They worked hard to solve the money problems.)

• "strove with all one's might": to use every possible effort.

  • She strove with all her might to win the scholarship. (She tried as hard as she could.)

Variants and Related Words

• Strive (verb, base form): to make great efforts.

  • We must strive for excellence in everything we do. (We need to try hard to be excellent.)

• Striven (past participle): the form used with auxiliary verbs.

  • He has striven to improve his grades all semester. (He has made consistent efforts.)

• Striver (noun): a person who tries hard.

  • She is a striver who never gives up on her goals. (She is a hard-working person.)

Synonyms

• Tried: made an attempt.
• Labored: worked hard and with difficulty.
• Fought: struggled against opposition.

Phrasal Verbs

• Strive for: to aim for or work hard to obtain something.

  • They strive for success in every project. (They work hard to achieve success.)

• Strive against: to resist or fight something.

  • The community strove against the new policy. (They resisted the policy.)

Related Idioms

• Strive for the stars: to aim for very high goals.
  • He always strove for the stars, even when others doubted him. (He aimed for ambitious achievements.)