strove

Verb

strive (third-person singular simple present strives, present participle striving, simple past strove or strived, past participle striven or strived or (nonstandard, colloquial) strove)

1. To try to achieve a result; to make strenuous effort; to try earnestly and persistently.
   • He strove to excel.

   Synonyms:

   seek, pursue, reach for

2. To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute; to contend; to contest.
   • to strive against fate
3. To vie; to compete as a rival.
   • [Not] that sweet grove
     Of Daphne, by Orontes and the inspired
     Castalian spring, might with this paradise
     Of Eden strive.1667, John Milton, “Book IV”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...