strife

Meaning

  1. (countable, uncountable) Striving; earnest endeavor; hard work.
  2. (countable, uncountable) Exertion or contention for superiority, either by physical or intellectual means.
  3. (countable, uncountable) Bitter conflict, sometimes violent.
  4. (colloquial, countable, uncountable) A trouble of any kind.
  5. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) That which is contended against; occasion of contest.

Synonyms

conflict
B2
struggle
B2
quarrel
C1
discord
21k
fight
A1
contention
24k
battle
B1
dispute
C1
contest
B2
combat
B2
dissension
45k
argument
B2
scuffle
25k
controversy
C2
friction
C2
clash
C2
hostility
C2
war
A1
riot
C1
disagreement
C2
difference of opinion
rivalry
C2
confrontation
C2
tussle
35k
warfare
C1
wrestle
C2
skirmish
31k
duel
C1
fray
24k
scramble
C2
rough-and-tumble
shuffle
C2
grapple
37k
debate
B2
trouble
A1
bout
B2
altercation
C2
opposition
C1
spar
24k
squabble
29k
squabbling
31k
striving
22k
suffer
B1
suffering
B1
tourney
49k
tug
C2
tug-of-war
tumult
46k
variance
32k
wrangle
33k
Translations

Streit
conflit
querelle
lutte

διαμάχη

Zank
Konflikt
conflicto
lotta
luta
Zwist
différend
strijd
Kampf
conflito
Frequency

C2
Pronounced as (IPA)
/stɹaɪf/
Etymology

Inherited from Middle English
strif
Cognate with Dutch
strijven
In summary

From Middle English strif, stryf, striffe, from Old French estrif, noun derived from estriver, from Frankish *strīban; compare Dutch strijven. More at strive.

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English