ENGLISH
REFERENCE

strives

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈstɹaɪvz// UK //stɹˈaɪvz// strives

v. to try very hard to achieve something or reach a goal. You use this when someone puts in a lot of effort over a long time.

v. to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. Often followed by an infinitive or the preposition 'for'.


SIMPLE

She strives to be the best student in her class.

CONTEXTUAL

The company strives for excellence in customer service by training every employee to handle complaints with empathy.

COMPLEX

While the protagonist strives for moral purity throughout the novel, his actions are frequently undermined by the harsh realities of the political landscape he inhabits.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is intransitive; it typically takes an infinitive ('strives to do') or the preposition 'for' ('strives for').

Pitfall

he strives the successhe strives for successStrive is intransitive and cannot take a direct object; it requires a preposition like 'for' or an infinitive.

© 2026 English Reference