100 Synonyms and Antonyms for STRIVE [2025]

Language is a dynamic and expansive tool that allows us to convey thoughts, emotions, and actions with precision and creativity. The word “strive” is a powerful verb that implies effort, determination, and persistent endeavor toward a goal.

Understanding a variety of synonyms and antonyms for “strive” can greatly enhance our vocabulary and expression, making our communication more nuanced and impactful.

By exploring these linguistic alternatives, we can better articulate our experiences and intentions. In this article, I will delve into 50 synonyms and 50 antonyms for “strive,” along with their nuanced meanings and contexts.

This exploration is not only an exercise in language enrichment but also a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their writing and conversational skills.

 

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Synonyms for “Strive”

1. Aspire: To have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something.

• Example: I aspire to become a renowned scientist.

1. Aim: To direct one’s efforts toward achieving a specific goal.
   • Example: Mary aims to finish the project by next week.
2. Endeavor: To attempt earnestly to achieve a goal.
   • Example: The team endeavored to create a sustainable solution.
3. Pursue: To follow or engage in an activity or goal with determination.
   • Example: Mark pursued his dreams with unwavering dedication.  
4. Labor: To work hard and make a strenuous effort.
   • Example: The artisans labored tirelessly to create intricate designs.
5. Work: To exert effort or energy to accomplish a task.
   • Example: I worked diligently to complete my thesis.
6. Struggle: To make a forceful or violent effort to achieve something.
   • Example: Jane struggled to overcome the obstacles in her path.
7. Try: To make an attempt or effort to achieve something.
   • Example: Alex tried his best to solve the complex problem.
8. Exert: To apply effort or force.
   • Example: I exerted all my strength to lift the heavy box.  
9. Venture: To undertake a risky or daring journey or task.
   • Example: They ventured into uncharted territory.
10. Fight: To engage in a struggle to achieve or resist something.
    • Example: She fought for her rights with courage and resilience.
11. Toil: To work extremely hard or incessantly.
    • Example: The farmers toiled in the fields from dawn to dusk.
12. Strain: To make a great effort under difficult conditions.
    • Example: He strained his mind to recall the details.  
13. Seek: To try to find or obtain something.
    • Example: I sought to understand the underlying principles.
14. Compete: To strive to gain or win something by defeating others.
    • Example: The athletes competed fiercely in the championship.
15. Battle: To fight or contend against obstacles or opposition.
    • Example: She battled against all odds to succeed.
16. Grasp: To make an effort to understand or seize something.
    • Example: David grasped every opportunity that came his way. 
17. Yearn: To have an intense desire or longing for something.
    • Example: He yearned for a chance to prove himself.
18. Target: To set a goal and strive to achieve it.
    • Example: She targeted a high score in her exams.  
19. Push: To exert force or effort to achieve something.
    • Example: Jack pushed himself to the limit during training.  
20. Hustle: To work energetically and persistently.
    • Example: They hustled to meet the tight deadlines.
21. Attempt: To endeavor to accomplish or finish something.
    • Example: I attempted to break the record.
22. Drive: To propel or motivate oneself to achieve something.
    • Example: His passion and drive led him to success.
23. Perspire: To sweat and work hard to achieve something.
    • Example: She perspired during her intense workout. ‍♀️ 
24. Sweat: To exert oneself and work hard.
    • Example: John sweated over the intricate details of the project.
25. Apply: To put effort into a task or goal.
    • Example: She applied herself to her studies with dedication.
26. Persist: To continue firmly in an effort or course of action.
    • Example: He persisted despite the challenges.
27. Persevere: To continue striving despite difficulties or setbacks.
    • Example: They persevered through the tough times.
28. Plod: To work slowly but steadily toward a goal.
    • Example: He plodded through his assignments patiently.
29. Probe: To investigate or explore with effort.
    • Example: I probed into the mystery with determination.  
30. Tackle: To confront or take on a challenge with effort.
    • Example: She tackled the problem head-on.
31. Grapple: To struggle with a difficult task or problem.
    • Example: Nina grappled with the complexities of the situation.
32. Vigor: To exert energy and enthusiasm in an effort. ⚡️
    • Example: He approached his work with vigor.
33. Sweat Over: To work hard and diligently on something.
    • Example: She sweated over her final project.
34. Contend: To strive in opposition or competition.
    • Example: They contended for the top spot in the competition.
35. Fret: To worry and make an effort to resolve something.
    • Example: He fretted over the upcoming exam.
36. Seek After: To strive to obtain or achieve something.
    • Example: She sought after a position in a prestigious firm.
37. Aspire to: To strive for a particular goal or position.
    • Example: He aspired to be a leader in his field.
38. Wrestle with: To struggle and make an effort to overcome a challenge.
    • Example: She wrestled with her doubts and fears.  
39. Scuffle: The act of struggling or fighting rough.
    • Example: They scuffled to get their ideas approved.
40. Contest: To strive or compete for a prize or position.
    • Example: He contested the decision with determination.
41. Push for: To strive and advocate for something.
    • Example: She pushed for better working conditions.
42. Labor Over: To work hard and diligently on a task.
    • Example: He labored over his manuscript for months. 
43. Endure: To bear and strive through difficult conditions.
    • Example: They endured hardships to achieve their goals.
44. Burn the Midnight Oil: To work late into the night.  
    • Example: She burned the midnight oil to complete her project.
45. Fight for: To strive and make an effort to achieve or defend something.
    • Example: He fought for justice and equality.
46. Buckle Down: To concentrate and work hard on a task.
    • Example: He buckled down and finished his assignment.
47. Hammer Away: To work persistently and diligently.
    • Example: She hammered away at her research.  
48. Chase: To strive and pursue something with determination.
    • Example: Ali chased his dream of becoming an artist.
49. Hone: To refine and improve through effort and practice.
    • Example: She honed her skills through constant practice.

 

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Antonyms for “Strive”

1.Neglect: To ignore or fail to care for something.

• Example: He neglected his duties and responsibilities.

2.Ignore: To refuse to pay attention to something.

• • Example: I ignored the warnings and continued.

3.Abandon: To give up or leave something behind.

• • Example: They abandoned the project midway.

4.Surrender: To give up and accept defeat.

• • Example: He surrendered to the challenges without a fight.

5.Yield: To give in or submit to something.

• • Example: She yielded to the pressure and gave up.

6.Relinquish: To let go or give up something voluntarily.

• • Example: He relinquished his position to a younger colleague.

7.Desist: To stop or cease an action.

• • Example: They were asked to desist from further efforts.

8.Resign: To accept something reluctantly without making an effort.

• • Example: She resigned herself to the situation.

9.Quit: To stop trying or give up.

• • Example: I quit my job without any notice.

10.Abstain: To refrain from doing something.

• • Example: She abstained from making any further comments.

 

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11.Forsake: To abandon or give up on something.

• • Example: He forsook his ambitions for a simpler life.

12.Succumb: To yield to pressure or temptation. 

• • Example: She succumbed to the difficulties and gave up. 

13.Discontinue: To stop doing or using something.

• • Example: They decided to discontinue the project.

14.Retire: To withdraw from active involvement.

• • Example: He retired from the competition. 

15.Abort: To end something prematurely.

• • Example: The mission was aborted due to technical issues. 

16.Fail: To not succeed in achieving something.

• • Example: He failed to meet the requirements. 

17.Cease: To stop doing something.

• • Example: They were ordered to cease their activities. 

18.Terminate: To bring something to an end.

• • Example: The contract was terminated abruptly. ✍️ 

 19.Despair: To lose all hope and give up.

• Example: In a moment of weakness, he despaired and gave up.

20.Relax: To rest and not exert effort.

• Example: She decided to relax instead of pushing herself further.

21.Submit: To accept or yield to a superior force or authority.

• Example: They submitted to the new regulations without resistance.

22.Let Go: To release or stop holding onto something.

• Example: He let go of his ambitions after facing numerous setbacks.

23.Lay Down: To abandon or set aside an effort or goal. 

• Example: She laid down her tools and walked away from the project.

24.Disregard: To pay no attention to something.

• Example: He disregarded his previous goals and focused on new ones.

25.Recede: To move back or withdraw.

• Example: She receded from the competition after a poor performance.

 

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26.Ease: To make something less difficult or strenuous. 

• Example: He eased up on his efforts after achieving initial success.

27.Back Down: To withdraw from a position or commitment. 

• Example: They backed down from their ambitious plans.

28.Diminish: To reduce the effort or intensity.

• Example: As the situation improved, they diminished their efforts.

29.Let Up: To lessen the intensity or effort.

• Example: After months of hard work, he finally let up.

30.Retreat: To withdraw or move away from a challenge or effort.

• Example: They retreated when they realized the challenge was too great.  

31.Shrink: To avoid or back away from effort or responsibility.

• Example: She shrank from the daunting task ahead.

32.Relent: To give in and reduce effort or intensity.

• Example: After much persistence, he finally relented.

33.Withhold: To not exert effort or to hold back.

• Example: She withheld her full effort due to a lack of motivation. 

34.Waver: To become unsteady or unsure in making an effort.

• Example: He wavered in his commitment to the project.

35.Hesitate: To pause or delay in making an effort.

• Example: She hesitated to take on the new responsibility.

36.Procrastinate: To delay or postpone making an effort.

• Example: He procrastinated instead of tackling the task immediately.

37.Loaf: To be lazy and avoid making an effort.

• Example: They loafed around instead of working on their assignments.

38.Languish: To lose vitality and become weak in making an effort.

• Example: The project languished due to a lack of enthusiasm. 

39.Repose: To rest and not exert effort.

• Example: She found repose in the serene surroundings.

40.Suspend: To temporarily stop or delay making an effort. ✋ 

• Example: They suspended their efforts until further notice.

 

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41.Disengage: To detach oneself from making an effort.

• Example: He disengaged from the project after facing numerous setbacks.

42.Defer: To postpone making an effort to a later time. 

• Example: She deferred her plans due to unforeseen circumstances.

43.Adjourn: To break off or end a session of effort.

• Example: The meeting was adjourned, and further efforts were postponed.

44.Pause: To temporarily stop making an effort.

• Example: He paused his work to take a much-needed break.

45.Desist: To stop making an effort or discontinue.

• Example: They were advised to desist from further efforts until they had more information.

46.Rest: To cease working and take a break.

• Example: After a long day, she decided to rest and recuperate.

47.Halt: To bring an effort to a sudden stop.

• Example: He halted his efforts when he realized it was futile.

48.Abate: To reduce intensity or effort.

• Example: As the storm abated, their efforts to fortify the shelter decreased.

49.Deactivate: To turn off or discontinue effort.

• Example: They deactivated the system and halted their efforts.

50.Relinquish: To let go or give up effort voluntarily.

• Example: She relinquished control and allowed others to take over.

 

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Conclusion

Exploring the synonyms and antonyms for “strive” enriches our vocabulary, allowing us to express our thoughts, emotions, and actions with greater precision and creativity.

By understanding these linguistic alternatives, we can enhance our communication skills, making our writing and conversations more nuanced and impactful.

Whether we are describing our efforts, ambitions, or the moments when we choose to step back, having a robust vocabulary helps us articulate our experiences and intentions clearly. 

Synonyms such as “aspire,” “endeavor,” and “persevere” highlight the various shades of effort and determination, while antonyms like “neglect,” “abandon,” and “relent” offer insights into the opposite spectrum of action.

This comprehensive exploration of words not only broadens our language toolkit but also deepens our appreciation for the dynamic and expansive nature of language.  

As we continue to strive toward our goals, let us remember the power of words to convey our journey with clarity and expressiveness.

Embracing a diverse vocabulary enables us to communicate more effectively and connect more meaningfully with others, enriching both our personal and professional lives.