strive

[strahyv] /straɪv/
verb (used without object), strove or strived, striven
[striv-uh n] /ˈstrɪv ən/ (Show IPA) or strived, striving.
1.
to exert oneself vigorously; try hard:
He strove to make himself understood.
2.
to make strenuous efforts toward any goal:
to strive for success.
3.
to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete.
4.
to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance:
to strive against fate.
5.
to rival; vie.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English striven < Old French estriver to quarrel, compete, strive < Germanic; compare obsolete Dutch strijven, German streben to strive
Related forms
striver, noun
strivingly, adverb
interstrive, verb (used without object), interstrove, interstriven, interstriving.
outstrive, verb (used with object), outstrove, outstriven, outstriving.
overstrive, verb (used without object), overstrove, overstriven, overstriving.
restrive, verb (used without object), restrove, restriven, restriving.
unstriving, adjective
Synonyms
1. See try. 2. toil. 3. struggle, fight.
Examples from the web for strive
  • Hybrids will become increasingly common as automakers strive to meet the government's tough new fuel efficiency standards.
  • strive to diversify the economy and limit population influx to sustainable levels.
  • Hold on to your dreams and always strive to achieve your goals.
  • The best interviews are dialogues, so strive to engage people.
  • But the chapters contained in it strive for grounding in sound empirical studies, not in ideological premises.
  • Intellectuals strive to recognize and accommodate the various contributions to potential biases in their reasoning.
  • Neither is a model anyone with a desire to preserve the fourth estate should strive to emulate.
  • Our nation needs to invest in renewable energy and strive to become energy independent.
  • We continue to adapt to climate change and strive for business as usual, ignoring more direct solar alternatives.
  • The qualities that earn people more money are not always ones to strive to emulate.
British Dictionary definitions for strive

strive

/straɪv/
verb strives, striving, strove, striven (ˈstrɪvən)
1.
(may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to make a great and tenacious effort: to strive to get promotion
2.
(intransitive) to fight; contend
Derived Forms
striver, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Old French estriver, of Germanic origin; related to Middle High German streben to strive, Old Norse strītha to fight
Word Origin and History for strive
v.

c.1200, from Old French estriver "to quarrel, dispute," from estrif, estrit "quarrel" (see strife). It became a strong verb (past tense strove) by rhyming association with drive, etc.