Strive Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：make great effort (strive)

strive 🔊

/straɪv/

vi.

to try very hard to achieve something, like doing your best in a race.

Student striving late night studying with focused effort

make great effort 🔊

➕

/meɪk ɡreɪt ˈɛfərt/

vi.

To exert strong effort or determination in order to achieve something difficult.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'estriver' (quarrel). Implies intense effort.

💡 Mnemonic

Strive = drive with strength. Add 's' to 'drive' for strong effort.

📖 Example

She had to strive every day to understand the difficult math problems before the final exam. 🔊 She had to make a determined effort every day to comprehend the challenging math problems before the final exam.

🔗 Collocations

strive for – to make a great effort to achieve or obtain something

strive to do – to try hard to accomplish a specific action

strive against – to struggle or fight against difficulties or opposition

🔄 Synonyms

endeavor (vi.) – to attempt seriously or earnestly

struggle (vi.) – to make a strenuous effort, often against difficulties

try hard (phrase) – to make a great effort

🚫 Antonyms

give up (phrasal verb) – to cease making an effort

surrender (vi.) – to yield to a difficulty or opponent

neglect (vt.) – to fail to make necessary effort

🌱 Derivatives

striver (n.) – a person who strives

striving (adj./n.) – the action of making great effort

outstrive (vt.) – to surpass in striving

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old French 'estriver' (to quarrel). Later shifted to 'exert effort' as fighting for a goal became a metaphor. Now common in sports and career.