Synonyms:
striving, nisus, pains, strain
Meaning: an effortful attempt to attain a goal
Usage examples
When she saw it lying there, she stamped her heel upon it, striving to crush it.
"What's the matter?" she asked, sleep and anxiety striving sluggishly with each other in her voice.
But, Bertha, I have seen him many times before, and striving hard in many ways, for one great sacred object.
The expense of the army and navy was great, and the ministry, in striving to lighten the burdens of the people, turned their eyes to the colonies.
I believe in the Word to Which the universe is striving, and Which Itself was 'with God,' and Which Itself is God and so on, and so on, to infinity.
He fought fast and furiously, striving to throw, to bend, to beat back the body of a man almost as strong as himself, and now a maniac in rage and fear.
"Mr. Pedagog and the Poet and Mr. Bib may lead the strenuous life, but as for mine the simple life is the thing. I'm not striving after the unattainable.
"How do you do, doctor?" said Mrs. Dale, striving to use her accustomed voice, and to look as though there were nothing of special importance in his visit.
She had not long been lain down, when Belcour arrived, for he took every opportunity of visiting her, and striving to awaken her resentment against Montraville.
It is by what they see of your lives that you will help them; if you yourselves are striving for perfection, God will use you to lead these gentlemen in the right way."