Strive

Simple meaning

Strive means to make a great effort toward a goal — especially when it is difficult, meaningful, or important.

Detailed meaning

Strive is not just try. It implies:

• Effort — putting in real work, not a half-hearted attempt
• Persistence — continuing over time, not just once
• Direction — toward something specific and meaningful

When someone strives, they are not casually attempting — they are pushing, reaching, working consistently toward a goal that is genuinely important to them.

It is often used in aspirational, motivational, and professional language:

• "We strive to deliver excellence."
• "She has always strived for clarity in her writing."
• "He strives to be the kind of manager people want to work for."

Where to use it

It works well in:

• Mission and values statements — "We strive for excellence in everything we do."
• Describing personal effort — "He has always strived to be better than yesterday."
• Aspirational writing — "Strive not to be a success, but to be of value."

Where not to use it

Strive implies meaningful, sustained effort. Don't use it for small or casual attempts.

5 example sentences

1. She strives to write one page every morning — not for the result, but for the discipline.
2. The company strives to be carbon neutral by 2030 — a goal that shapes every decision from operations to product design.
3. He had always strived for fairness — not as a rule, but as a value that came from watching unfairness hurt people he loved.
4. Strive not for perfection — strive for improvement. The gap between them is everything.
5. She strived to understand her customers' lives before recommending anything — real understanding, not assumed.

Common mistakes

Similar & opposite words

Similar (synonyms)

Opposite (antonyms)

Shade of difference: Try is neutral — any level of effort. Strive is sustained and directional — effort with purpose. Endeavour is more formal and literary. Aspire focuses on the desire and vision — wanting something. Strive focuses on the effort — actively working toward it. Persevere is close but specifically about continuing despite difficulty.

Memory trick

Summary

Strive means to make a sustained, serious effort toward something meaningful — not a single attempt, but an ongoing push in a clear direction. It is a word of aspiration and commitment. Use it when the effort is real and the goal matters — because strive signals both.