strive
verb/ˈstɹaɪv/
Etymology From Middle English striven (“to strive”), from Old French estriver (“to compete, quarrel”), from Frankish *strīban (“to exert, make an effort”) from Proto-Germanic *strībaną, or from Frankish *stribēn (“to strive”) from Proto-Germanic *stribāną. As this verb is conjugated as if it were a strong verb (like drive, ride, and write), it is possible this word may instead be inherited from an unattested Old English *strīfan or *strifian, which would itself also be inherited from Proto-Germanic *strībaną.
1
To try to achieve a result; to make strenuous effort; to try earnestly and persistently.
- He strove to excel.
- We strive for the truth.
2 more examples
- Though the writer has striven to dwell on aspects that have passed, or are passing away, it will be apparent that many features of Midland practice have been adopted as standard for the L.M.S.R. and other railways.1946 May and June, J. Alan Rannie, “The Midland of 35 Years Ago”, in Railway Magazine, page 200:
- Moreover, on several occasions, terminus stations such as Nine Elms, Bishop's Bridge, Maiden Lane and Bishopgate were built rather further away from the centre of London, only to be dispensed with as the various railway companies strove to get as near as possible to the lucrative markets of the City and the West End.2021 January 13, Christian Wolmar, “Read all about London's Cathedrals of Steam”, in RAIL, number 922, page 62:
2
To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute; to contend; to contest.
- to strive against fate
- Now private pity strove with public hate, / Reason with rage, and eloquence with fate.1668, John Denham, “On the Earl of Strafford’s Tryal and Death”, in Poems and Translations, with The Sophy, London: […] [John Macock] for H[enry] Herringman […], →OCLC:
1 more example
- We have met this new thing that has come upon the earth and have striven against its armies, but could not drive them forth; and the new thing is beautiful but very angry, and is creeping towards the gods.1906, Lord Dunsany [i.e., Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany], Time and the Gods, London: William Heineman, →OCLC, page 7:
3
To vie; to compete as a rival.
- [Not] that sweet grove Of Daphne, by Orontes and the inspired Castalian spring, might with this paradise Of Eden strive.1667, John Milton, “Book IV”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
- Synonyms
- put, keep, &c. one's nose to the grindstone, put one's back into, give 110%, break one's back, work hard, apply oneself, put one's shoulder to the wheel
- Derived terms
- do not sit in Rome and strive with the Pope, gainstrive, overstrive, restrive, striver, strivingly, unstriving, upstrive
- Related terms
- strife