strife
5 synonyms and 3 antonyms for strife, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Bitter conflict or struggle, sometimes violent.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use strife
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
civil strife
domestic strife
a period of strife
Etymology
From Old French estrif, related to the verb estriver ("to strive, quarrel"), itself from a Frankish root — the same origin as "strive."
Full origin of strife →Frequently asked questions
What does “strife” mean?
The word “strife” means bitter conflict or struggle, sometimes violent. In plain terms, serious conflict, tension, or fighting between people or groups.
How do you pronounce “strife”?
“Strife” is pronounced stryf (/stɹaɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “strife” in a sentence?
Here is “strife” used in a sentence: “Decades of civil strife had left the country's economy in ruins.”
What is another word for “strife”?
Words with a similar meaning to “strife” include conflict, contention, discord, dissension and struggle.
What part of speech is “strife”?
“Strife” is a noun.
Where does the word “strife” come from?
The word “strife” comes from Old French. From Old French estrif, related to the verb estriver ("to strive, quarrel"), itself from a Frankish root — the same origin as "strive.".
Is “strife” a common word?
“Strife” is an uncommon word in modern English.
