strife

noun

ˈstrīf How to pronounce strife (audio)
Definition of strifenext
1
as in discord
a lack of agreement or harmony in order to avoid family strife, the children spend equal time during the holidays with both of their grandmothers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another bitter strife between the two political factions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Prices for precious metals have been soaring as investors look for safer places to park their money amid threats of tariffs, still-high inflation, political strife and mountains of debt for governments worldwide. —Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026 Prices for precious metals have been soaring as investors look for safer places to park their money amid threats of tariffs, still-high inflation, political strife and mountains of debt for governments worldwide. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 Woven through the city are vestiges of that trauma and strife from years past and from days and weeks present. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026 But while her fame has extended far beyond the quadrennial event, her journey has not been without strife. —Sean Gregory, Time, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strife
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strife
  1. discord
  2. rivalry
  3. friction
  4. struggle
  5. conflict
  6. battle
  7. war
  8. warfare
Noun
  • The drafts mention marital discord between Gates and his then-wife Melinda.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Despite the franchise’s high level of performance, there’s discord between Allen and owners about structure.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of discord
Noun
  • While there are teams, rivalries and even championships on the line, Lightner says the real goal goes far beyond the scoreboard.
    — Itay Hod, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Next on the line is a woman who is more gracious to Kendrick, but didn’t seem to get the memo that the East Coast-West Coast rivalry ended decades ago.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Noun
  • There are more overtly sexy moments in Fennell’s movie — the physical intimacy is ratcheted up significantly from the book — but this scene underlines the Brontë’s themes of desire and repression — and the friction between them — that imprinted on the filmmaker as a teen.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Ice surfaces develop a thin, mobile surface layer, sometimes called a quasi-liquid or premelted layer, that reduces friction and enables sliding.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of friction
Noun
  • If Grosz’s first book, The Examined Life, was all about his patients’ personal lives and struggles, Love’s Labor—which is written in a similar way, as a series of case studies—is much more interested in his patients’ approach to love, specifically.
    — Daisy Jones, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Continue reading … ROYAL RECKONING – Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie struggle with fallout from latest Epstein doc drop.
    — , FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of struggle
Noun
  • No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Warren saw that the conflict in the region between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Liberation Army left local children with little to do.
    — Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • The star of the cache was a near-complete Iron Age battle trumpet, or carnyx — used to blare eerie sounds in battle and rally troops against the enemy.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Alain Hamel is credited with catching the giant flatfish, which was pulled through the ice after a two-and-a-half hour battle.
    — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • Net migration to the UK reached record levels in 2022, swelled by the war in Ukraine and the post-pandemic lifting of travel restrictions, but has since dropped off sharply.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The war has sparked worldwide protests and brought accusations of genocide that Israel denies.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of war
Noun
  • The film delves into the fragility of the human mind, the dangers of AI warfare, and the indomitable spirit required to confront terror in an increasingly digital world.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
  • This is information warfare on the cheap.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of warfare

Browse Nearby Words

striding
strife
strifes
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Cite this Entry

“Strife.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strife. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on strife

Nglish: Translation of strife for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about strife

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