STRIFE Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'strife' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strife are conflict , contention , discord , dissension , and variance . While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved. // during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

Q: When is it sensible to use 'conflict' instead of 'strife'?

While the synonyms conflict and strife are close in meaning, conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires. // the conflict of freedom and responsibility

Q: In what contexts can 'contention' take the place of 'strife'?

The words contention and strife can be used in similar contexts, but contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy. // several points of contention about the new zoning law

Q: When could 'discord' be used to replace 'strife'?

While in some cases nearly identical to strife , discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism. // a political party long racked by discord

Q: When might 'dissension' be a better fit than 'strife'?

The words dissension and strife are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions. // religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Q: When would 'variance' be a good substitute for 'strife'?

In some situations, the words variance and strife are roughly equivalent. However, variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest. // cultural variances that work against a national identity

strife

noun

ˈstrīf

Definition of strife next

as in discord

a lack of agreement or harmony in order to avoid family strife, the children spend equal time during the holidays with both of their grandmothers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another bitter strife between the two political factions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun strife contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strife are conflict, contention, discord, dissension, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

When is it sensible to use conflict instead of strife?

While the synonyms conflict and strife are close in meaning, conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

In what contexts can contention take the place of strife?

The words contention and strife can be used in similar contexts, but contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When could discord be used to replace strife?

While in some cases nearly identical to strife, discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When might dissension be a better fit than strife?

The words dissension and strife are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When would variance be a good substitute for strife?

In some situations, the words variance and strife are roughly equivalent. However, variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

Examples 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 strife Though there are many themes here — race, self-determination, mental illness, the domestic strife that enters into many such show business stories when a person is also a commodity. —

Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024 Economic Relief: Years of strife in Syria ruined the country’s energy sector, battered its currency and strangled growth. —

Carlotta Gall, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025 That has led them to focus more on their core fossil fuel businesses at a time of geopolitical strife. —

Mike Allen, Axios, 31 Dec. 2024 Asking Eric: Husband’s grocery splurges create strife Daily horoscope for Dec. 20, 2024 Photos PHOTOS: Denver Broncos fall 34-27 to Los Angeles Chargers in NFL Week 16 The Denver Broncos faced the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on December 19, 2024. —

The Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for strife

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strife

Noun

European Union rattled again Years after financial crisis drove a wedge in the European bloc, and nearly five years after Brexit, the European Union is facing a new sign of internal discord: The 27-member bloc has been a stalwart supporter of Ukraine, but unity is fraying.

Philipp Jenne and Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Ryan Reynolds Hints at His Mindset in First Post Since Wife Blake Lively Filed Complaint Against Justin Baldoni Lively filed her complaint months after rumors of behind-the-scenes discord between her and Baldoni, 40, began emerging in August.

Jen Juneau, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024