strife


strife

noun \ˈstrīf\

Definition of STRIFE

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
strife·less \ˈstrī-fləs\ adjective

Examples of STRIFE

  1. <in order to avoid family strife, the children spend equal time during the holidays with both of their grandmothers>
  2. <bitter strife between the two political factions>

Origin of STRIFE

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

Rhymes with STRIFE

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