verb (used without object), strove or strived, striv·en /ˈstrɪvən/Show Spelled[striv-uhn]Show IPAor strived, striv·ing.
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
striv·er, noun
striv·ing·ly, adverb
in·ter·strive, verb (used without object), in·ter·strove, in·ter·striv·en, in·ter·striv·ing.
out·strive, verb (used with object), out·strove, out·striv·en, out·striv·ing.
o·ver·strive, verb (used without object), o·ver·strove, o·ver·striv·en, o·ver·striv·ing.
re·strive, verb (used without object), re·strove, re·striv·en, re·striv·ing.
c.1200, from O.Fr. estriver "to quarrel, dispute," from estrif, estrit "quarrel" (see strife). It became a strong verb (past tense strove) by rhyming association with drive, etc.