striving: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “striving” mean?
The act of making great and continuous effort towards a goal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of making great and continuous effort towards a goal.
A persistent, dedicated struggle or endeavor, often implying exertion against difficulty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Minor preference for 'striving for' over 'striving after' in AmE.
Connotations
Identical positive connotations of effort and ambition in both dialects.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects, slightly more common in formal/written registers.
Grammar
How to Use “striving” in a Sentence
striving for + NOUN (goal)striving to + INFINITIVEstriving after + NOUN (abstract)striving against + NOUN (obstacle)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “striving” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She is striving to complete her dissertation before the deadline.
- The team have been striving for greater efficiency.
American English
- He is striving to make the playoffs this season.
- We strive for excellence in customer service.
adverb
British English
- This usage is non-standard and highly archaic; not recommended for modern use.
American English
- This usage is non-standard and highly archaic; not recommended for modern use.
adjective
British English
- He had a striving, ambitious nature.
- The striving artist worked late into the night.
American English
- She comes from a striving immigrant family.
- The striving entrepreneur pitched her idea.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to continuous improvement, e.g., 'our striving for greater market share'.
Academic
Used in discussions of human motivation, progress, or philosophical goals.
Everyday
Used to describe personal efforts in work, study, or self-improvement.
Technical
Rare; may appear in psychology or sociology texts about motivation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “striving”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “striving”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “striving”
- Incorrect preposition: 'striving of' instead of 'striving for/after'.
- Using as a simple synonym for 'wanting' without the effort component.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily positive, connoting admirable effort and ambition. Can have a negative nuance if implying futile or excessive strain ('endless striving').
'Strive' implies much greater, sustained, and earnest effort, often against difficulty. 'Try' is more general and neutral.
Yes, though less common. As a participial adjective, it describes someone who is characterized by making great efforts (e.g., 'a striving student').
Most commonly 'for' (a goal) and 'to' + infinitive. 'After' (something abstract) and 'against' (an obstacle) are also possible but more formal/literary.
The act of making great and continuous effort towards a goal.
Striving is usually formal, neutral in register.
Striving: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A striving spirit”
- “Worth striving for”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bee constantly STRIVING to build its hive. The 'strive' in 'striving' rhymes with 'drive' – you need drive to keep striving.
Conceptual Metaphor
EFFORT IS A JOURNEY (striving towards a goal), EFFORT IS A BURDEN (the strain of striving).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'striving' INCORRECTLY?