[go: up one dir, main page]

strife

Definition of strifenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun strife contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strife are conflict, contention, discord, dissension, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

When is it sensible to use conflict instead of strife?

While the synonyms conflict and strife are close in meaning, conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

In what contexts can contention take the place of strife?

The words contention and strife can be used in similar contexts, but contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When could discord be used to replace strife?

While in some cases nearly identical to strife, discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When might dissension be a better fit than strife?

The words dissension and strife are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When would variance be a good substitute for strife?

In some situations, the words variance and strife are roughly equivalent. However, variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strife The Russian Revolution of 1917, labor strife and acts such as a bombing on Wall Street that claimed dozens of lives fueled calls for deportations. David Knutson, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025 And over the Christmas holiday, the president fired missiles into Nigeria, intervening in Nigerian civil strife, again, with no pretense of any kind of authorization by anyone other than the president at his own whim. David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025 Photography is a significant part of Goats and Soda's coverage of the joys and strife of daily life. Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 Dec. 2025 Economic downturn led residents to cut back on luxuries and necessities, while traffic and parking strife on The Grid are pushing away a good portion of remaining customers. Sacbee.com, 29 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strife
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strife
Noun
  • But when her latest husband, discord spirit Raksh, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina must clean up his blunder, contend with Marjana’s demands for the truth…and figure out who on her crew is plotting a mutiny.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
  • Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet framed the discord as a healthy debate about the future of the movement, an uncomfortable but necessary process of finding consensus.
    Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Small and middle powers, particularly those from the Global South, are stepping into this breach and providing an essential public good that great powers, bound by their own rivalries, increasingly cannot.
    Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
  • And there is a friendly rivalry there.
    Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This airflow spins the rotator through surface friction alone.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The sneakers have a stretchy mesh upper material that provides airflow during activity and minimizes friction, according to the brand.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • His struggles are hurting the Broncos in the biggest moments, too.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
  • After all, there are signs that the economy is improving (unemployment and inflation are declining), but after the economic struggles of recent years, and with household debt still high, an additional financing source won't hurt, either.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Authorities said the display was likely the result of a conflict between criminal groups operating in the area.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Calvo said the city’s contract with consulting firm NCGA LLC raises potential conflict-of-interest concerns.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • With a high-stakes battle for the 2026 midterms looming, the Evergreen State appears poised to join the trend of states using congressional redistricting for partisan advantage.
    Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Rattler won the quarterback battle in training camp over Shough, but after going 1-7, Moore made the switch to his rookie.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Elordi plays Dorrigo Evans, an army surgeon who becomes a war hero after enduring some time in captivity in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp.
    Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The Carolina Panthers lost the game but won a war Saturday night, rekindling the fervor that their fan base felt 10 years ago.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The projects included restoring two bread ovens at a bakery destroyed by Russian warfare, and purchasing a delivery van so that bread could reach more people.
    Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Its utility, for autonomous command and control, has application across the seabed warfare domain and aligns with the UK Government’s vision for a ‘Hybrid Navy’ and the Royal Navy’s Long Term Capability Plan for MCM mission systems integration, according to the Thales.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strife.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strife. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on strife

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!