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 Despite these challenges, Becca strives to maintain some normalcy for her family, relying on her husband and parents, who live nearby, for support. Jordan Greene, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025 His work would be adapted many times over the years, and both Ritt’s chilly direction and Burton’s hollowed-out performance set examples others would strive to match. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025 Through the character of Sara’s father, the director additionally nods to the organic livestock farming movement in the community that her father strived to champion. Holly Jones, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025 Kyiv has been striving to prove its readiness for peace while stressing that no deal can succeed without American security guarantees to deter repeat Russian aggression. David Brennan, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strive
Verb
  • During that time, Dave was struggling with his problems.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Ever since Alcaraz lost that immense Olympic final to Djokovic in August, the Spaniard has generally struggled to find his groove.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Dyrholm doesn’t only try to encounter her characters with openness but also people in her everyday life.
    Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Unmatched medical students can try to nab unfilled residency spots through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP).
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Other artists have spent decades laboring over their magnum opuses—Michael Heizer and James Turrell, with their sprawling land projects in the American West (City and Roden Crater, respectively), spring to mind—but few, if any, have worked only on those pieces.
    Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Workers are laboring in 95 degree heat, surrounded by toxic soil.
    Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Trump's administration has also attempted to deport other foreigners in its crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices.
    Kanishka Singh, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Since the merger, Caesars has been attempting to strengthen its balance sheet, pursuing strategic divestments and acquisitions and expanding into the growing digital gaming market along with the rest of the brick-and-mortar gaming industry.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Meghan wrote to Hirsh in her signature calligraphy, showing off the skill she's honed since working as a calligrapher while an auditioning actor.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Details regarding Trump’s reciprocal tariff plan are still being worked on.
    Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For Black yoga teachers who do endeavor to own studios, lack of generational wealth leads to the necessity to find funding, which introduces other unfortunate statistics.
    Tamika Caston-Miller, Outside Online, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Playing Major League Baseball is a prove it and prove it again and then prove it again forever endeavor.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strive. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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