- the past tense of strive
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
strove (strōv),USA pronunciation v.
- pt. of strive.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
strive /straɪv/USA pronunciation
v., strove/stroʊv/USA pronunciation or strived, striv•en /ˈstrɪvən/USA pronunciation or strived, striv•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to try hard: [~ + for + object]to strive for success.[~ + to + verb]What makes him strive to do so well?
- to oppose in battle or conflict;
compete:[~ + against + object]to strive against fate.
strive (strīv),USA pronunciation
v.i., strove or strived, striv•en
-
(striv′ən)USA pronunciation or strived, striv•ing.
- to exert oneself vigorously;
try hard:He strove to make himself understood. - to make strenuous efforts toward any goal:to strive for success.
- to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict;
compete. - to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance:to strive against fate.
- to rival;
vie. - Gmc; compare obsolete Dutch strijven, German streben to strive
- Old French estriver to quarrel, compete, strive
- Middle English striven 1175–1225
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See try.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged toil.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged struggle, fight.
striv′ing•ly, adv.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
- (may take a clause as object or an infinitive)
to make a great and tenacious effort - (intransitive)
to fight; contend
'strove' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):