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Strive vs Persevere - What's the difference?

strive | persevere |

As verbs the difference between strive and persevere

is that strive is to try to achieve a result; to make strenuous effort; to try earnestly and persistently while persevere is to persist steadfastly in pursuit of an undertaking, task, journey, or goal, even if hindered by distraction, difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement.

As a noun strive

is an effort; a striving.

strive

English

Verb

  • To try to achieve a result; to make strenuous effort; to try earnestly and persistently.
  • He strove to excel.
  • To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute; to contend; to contest.
  • to strive against fate
    to strive for the truth
  • * Denham
  • Now private pity strove with public hate, / Reason with rage, and eloquence with fate.
  • To vie; to compete as a rival.
  • * Milton
  • [Not] that sweet grove / Of Daphne, by Orontes and the inspired / Castalian spring, might with this paradise / Of Eden strive .

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See * The strong or irregular forms "strove" and "striven" are more commonly used in print than "strived".

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) An effort; a striving.
  • (Chapman)
  • (obsolete) strife; contention
  • persevere

    English

    Alternative forms

    * perservere

    Verb

    (persever)
  • To persist steadfastly in pursuit of an undertaking, task, journey, or goal, even if hindered by distraction, difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement.
  • * 1606 , , King Lear , act 3, scene 5:
  • I will persevere in
    my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore
    between that and my blood.
  • * 1817 , , Persuasion , ch. 1:
  • Sir Walter had sought the acquaintance, and though his overtures had not been met with any warmth, he had persevered in seeking it.
  • * , "The Agonies of Writing a Musical Comedy":
  • He is a trifle discouraged, but he perseveres .

    Synonyms

    * See also