“Strived” is the past tense of the verb “strive,” which means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. Here are some synonyms and an analysis of their usage:
1. Endeavored
- Meaning: “Endeavored” means to try hard; to make an earnest attempt. It has a formal and somewhat old - fashioned tone. For example, “The scientists endeavored to find a cure for the disease through years of research.” It emphasizes the serious and determined nature of the effort.
- Usage: Used in formal writing such as academic papers (researchers endeavored to solve the complex problem), in historical accounts (they endeavored to build a better society), and in any context where a solemn and purposeful attempt is being described.
2. Labored
- Meaning: “Labored” can mean to work hard or toil, often with a sense of difficulty or strenuous effort. For example, “The workers labored under the hot sun to complete the construction project on time.” It implies a physical or mental exertion that may involve hardship.
- Usage: Used in descriptions of physical work (labored in the fields), in more arduous mental tasks (labored over a difficult manuscript), and in any context where the focus is on the toil and difficulty of the effort.
3. Struggled
- Meaning: “Struggled” means to make forceful or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition. It often implies a battle against obstacles. For example, “The small business struggled to survive in a competitive market.” It emphasizes the challenges and the fight to overcome them.
- Usage: Used in business (struggled with financial difficulties), in personal growth (struggled to overcome an addiction), and in any context where there is a sense of a difficult and often uphill battle to achieve something.
4. Aspired
- Meaning: “Aspired” means to have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something great. It emphasizes the goal - orientation and the longing for a particular outcome. For example, “She aspired to become a famous singer and practiced every day.” It implies a more aspirational and sometimes idealistic view of the effort.
- Usage: Used in career - oriented contexts (aspired to a leadership position), in personal dreams (aspired to travel the world), and in any context where the focus is on the ambition and the pursuit of a lofty goal.
5. Contended
- Meaning: “Contended” can mean to strive or struggle in competition or debate. It emphasizes the element of conflict or rivalry. For example, “The two teams contended for the championship title.” It implies a situation where different parties are vying for a particular prize or position.
- Usage: Used in sports (contended in a tournament), in academic competitions (contended for a scholarship), and in any context where there is a sense of competition or struggle between different entities.