STRIVING Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

striving 1 of 2

noun

as in struggle

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striving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of strive

as in struggling

to devote serious and sustained effort not only must we strive for peace in time of war, we must strive mightily to maintain that peace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in trying

to make an effort to do let us strive to make the most of this opportunity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of striving

Noun

To conclude 39 days of human striving, the gate didn’t determine who the game belonged to. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 20 July 2026 And the striving didn’t stay on the ballfield or in the ring. — Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 28 June 2026 Such foolhardy male striving, the movie suggests, is all too often destructive. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 These towers trace a geography of 21st-century striving, stretching from East Asia to the Gulf and North America. — Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026 Their presence is an expression of human striving, not political provocation. — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026 And taken wholesale, both arguments could be enlisted to support more unhealthy striving, less peace on earth. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 Feb. 2026 Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City yesterday, taking over one of the most unrelenting jobs in American politics with a promise to transform government on behalf of the city’s striving, struggling working class. — Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026 Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City on Thursday, taking over one of the most unrelenting jobs in American politics with a promise to transform government on behalf of the city’s striving, struggling working class. — Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026

Verb

However, instead of a conservative regression, Dressen has noticed institutions striving to adopt more innovative practices on a number of levels. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 But a home that cannot absorb something deeply meaningful is striving for taste at the expense of inauthenticity. — Steven Weill, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026 Whatever happens next — this week, or months from now — Bohm is striving toward something. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, Wallis’ Angie is simply a resourceful single mother striving to get home to her 6-year-old daughter. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Improving our understanding of threat could guide the work of faith leaders striving for a more tolerant, pro-democratic role of faith in the public sphere. — Paul Djupe, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 Bad Day sees Diaz starring as a single mom who endures the toughest day of her life while striving to keep a promise to her daughter. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 What matters is striving to get the balance right between the two, and AI now gives leaders real leverage on both. — Doug Scott, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 But his appointment also lit a fire among a group of academics - and others - who believe Cambridge and other universities and public bodies are striving too hard to increase their diversity. — Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for striving

Noun

While Craig will get most of the attention, TCU’s revamped offensive line also had its struggles throughout the day.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Those struggles have become increasingly difficult for the Blue Jays to ignore as the season has progressed.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggle

Verb

The papers served to underline how central banks are struggling to keep up with challenges introduced by technology.

— Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
The longer the current situation continues, the greater the strain on an economy already struggling with shortages, inflation and restrictions on trade.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggling

Verb

While practicing for a sixth straight day, laboring in a heat index pushing 90 degrees, the Chiefs were bound to be a bit ill-mannered.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026
Complicated births that require, for example, extended time laboring will now be differentiated and might cost more, while uncomplicated births will cost less.

— Camille A. Clare, STAT, 23 July 2026

Definition of laboring

Verb

The market is attempting to judge how long high capital expenditures and elevated valuations surrounding AI can be sustained.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
During the arrest, Guerrero-Chavez began resisting, even slipping out of her handcuffs and attempting to run back to her vehicle, Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempting

Noun

Starbase Louisiana will be SpaceX's biggest undertaking ever, and likely the eventual hub of the company's launch operations.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
While the official soundtrack was of course a major lift, Romer’s diegetic background music was quite the undertaking as well.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of undertaking

Verb

Other areas of concern are the library system's self-check-out kiosks, instances in which minor teenagers handle materials while working or volunteering at a branch, and platforms for loaning electronic materials, Adams said.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Now his focus is on following in his parents’ footsteps working with the Children’s Institute, an organization that supports children and families.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of working

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“Striving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/striving. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of striving

noun

verb

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