strife

noun

1
a
: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension
political strife
b
: an act of contention : fight, struggle
2
: exertion or contention for superiority
3
archaic : earnest endeavor
strifeless adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for strife

discord, strife, conflict, contention, dissension, variance mean a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony.

discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

Examples of strife in a Sentence

in order to avoid family strife, the children spend equal time during the holidays with both of their grandmothers bitter strife between the two political factions
Recent Examples on the Web Then imagine being shocked at the strife and hostility that results. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 While the Cyrus clan has not publicly commented on any familial strife, seemingly only Miley, Brandi and Trace were in attendance when Tish married Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell last August. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 So far, the Golden Globes, Palm Springs Film Festival, Critics Choice Awards, SAG, PGA, et al all handed out their honors with no strife from political activism. Steven Gaydos, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024 The strife crippled campuses as teachers squared off with then-superintendent Jorge Aguilar over more pay and a challenging teacher shortage. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 10 Feb. 2024 Enough yapping about Embiid’s knee, Embiid’s surgeries, Embiid’s wounds, Embiid’s strife. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2024 Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s past relationship strife is water under the bridge. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 During times of political strife and unease – war, climate change, economic turbulence (and of course, a pandemic) – people tend to question other institutions as well. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Due to the band’s internal strife, LeNoble quit and was replaced by legendary punk bassist Watt. Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strife.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English strif, from Anglo-French estrif, estri, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch striden to fight, Old High German strītan to quarrel — more at stride

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of strife was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near strife

Cite this Entry

“Strife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strife. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

strife

noun
1
: bitter sometimes violent disagreement
political strife
2

More from Merriam-Webster on strife

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