ˈstrīv intransitive verb
( strove ˈstrōv ; also strived ; striv·en ˈstrivən ; or strived or chiefly dialect strove ; striving ; strives )
Etymology: Middle English striven, from Old French estriver to fight, contend, of Germanic origin; akin to obsolete Dutch strijven to contend, endeavor, Middle High German streben to endeavor, Greek striphnos firm, hard, Old Norse strītha to fight — more at stride
1.
a. : to struggle in opposition or contention : carry on a conflict : contend , contest — used with against or with
we strive against butchers — Irwin Shaw
strive not with your superiors in argument — George Washington
b. : to contend for dominance, mastery, or superiority : conduct war : fight
c. : to compete as a rival : vie
grief and perplexity … strive within her — Anne D. Sedgwick
d. obsolete : to struggle against physical obstacles : buck opposing forces, resistance, or difficulty
e. : to advance laboriously : make headway with effort : work
strove not only for the advancement of learning but also for the conversion of the heathen — Kemp Malone
2. : to devote effort or energy : try hard or earnestly : attempt , endeavor — often used with an infinitive
strove to make the most of every minute — Osbert Sitwell
a goal toward which he had always perseveringly striven
Synonyms: see try