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

as in to try

to make an effort to do let us strive to make the most of this opportunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 While Indiana and Hoover are striving for perfection as the program aims to defend its national title, TCU is just hoping to score more than two touchdowns against a Power Four opponent. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026 So that was something that Mike really strived to capture in this film, and lucky for us, the elements really helped in that way. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 The Monitor revisits three young families striving to live full lives amid Russia’s military invasion. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026 These steps are consistent with any institution of excellence that is constantly striving for improvement. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strive

Verb

When Skinny Neck Tat guy tries to break into her house, Ginger exercises her constitutional right to deadly force.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Underneath the celebrity and the tabloid headlines is someone who’s vulnerable, funny and desperately trying to hold her life together.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of try

Verb

Miller's attempt to recast the conversation about his divorce echoed efforts by other candidates who are struggling to overcome concerns about their character.

— Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
But more than 40 countries currently struggling with financing and liquidity challenges do not have debt stocks that require imminent restructuring.

— Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of struggle

Verb

The director said Platoon One was among the first to spot that spirit in the film and back what the brothers were attempting.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Upon taking office, the Biden administration stopped turning away unaccompanied child migrants, attempted to halt Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations for 100 days, and suspended border wall construction.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of attempt

Verb

The circumstances of Saint Michael’s help while the pilgrim labored and delivered in the ocean were markedly different from those in the miracle ascribed to the Virgin.

— Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
Strange, yes, but definitely more memorable than an accountant in green eyeshade laboring over the books.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of labor

Verb

Employee working with open food not wearing effective hair restraint.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
But while critics on the Israeli right railed against the deal, Netanyahu’s deputies worked behind the scenes to preserve it, according to correspondence obtained by TIME.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of work

Verb

Alfozan made his first court appearance Tuesday on a charge of using or endeavoring to use an electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept oral communications.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Through this practice, monastics endeavor to lead a life that is focused on God.

— Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of endeavor

Browse Nearby Words

strips (down)

strive

striven

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Strive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strive. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of strive

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes