noun
Uncommon
strife
stryf
Strife (noun) means Bitter conflict or struggle, sometimes violent. Example: “Decades of civil strife had left the country's economy in ruins.”
noun
1
Bitter conflict or struggle, sometimes violent.
"Decades of civil strife had left the country's economy in ruins."
"The two families had a long history of strife over the shared land."
How to use strife
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSerious conflict, tension, or fighting between people or groups.
Common pairings
civil strife
domestic strife
a period of strife
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Word forms
- Plural
- strifes
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Decades of civil _____ had left the country's economy in ruins.
Etymology
From Old French estrif, related to the verb estriver ("to strive, quarrel"), itself from a Frankish root — the same origin as "strive."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for strife
See all rhymes for 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.
