“Striven” is the past participle of the verb “strive,” which means to make great efforts, struggle, or aim for something. Here are some synonyms and an analysis of their usage:
1. Endeavored
- Meaning:
- “Endeavored” means to try hard or make an earnest attempt. It emphasizes the intention and the effort put into an action. For example, “He endeavored to solve the complex math problem, spending hours on it.” It implies a serious and purposeful attempt to achieve a goal.
- Usage:
- Used in formal and academic writing, as well as in professional contexts. For example, in research papers (“The scientists endeavored to find a cure for the disease”), in business (“The company endeavored to increase its market share”), and in any situation where a serious effort is being described.
2. Aspired
- Meaning:
- “Aspired” means to have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something. It often implies aiming for a higher or more noble goal. For example, “She aspired to become a world - famous singer, practicing every day.” It emphasizes the longing and the target that one is reaching for.
- Usage:
- Used in contexts related to personal growth, career goals, and dreams. For example, in biographies (“He aspired to make a difference in the world”), in educational settings (“Students aspired to get into top universities”), and in any situation where ambition and a positive goal - orientation are involved.
3. Strived (alternative form of the base verb)**
- Meaning:
- As the base form of the word we are analyzing, “strived” has the same meaning as “striven.” It means to struggle or exert oneself to achieve a particular end. For example, “They strived for equality, fighting through protests and legal means.” It emphasizes the active struggle and the determination to reach a goal.
- Usage:
- Can be used interchangeably with “striven” in most contexts. It's more commonly used in British English, while “striven” might be more prevalent in American English. Used in historical accounts (“The early settlers strived for a better life”), in social movements (“People strived for freedom”), and in any context where a struggle for an objective is described.
4. Labored
- Meaning:
- “Labored” means to work hard or toil, often with difficulty. It implies a sense of physical or mental exertion. For example, “The workers labored under the hot sun to complete the construction project.” It emphasizes the hardship and the effort involved in the work.
- Usage:
- Used in descriptions of physical work, but also in more abstract contexts to imply a difficult mental effort. For example, in literature (“He labored over his novel, trying to find the right words”), in descriptions of arduous tasks (“She labored to understand the complicated theory”), and in any situation where there is a sense of toil and struggle.
5. Toiled
- Meaning:
- “Toiled” means to work extremely hard and long, usually in a tiring or arduous way. It has a sense of continuous and often difficult labor. For example, “The farmers toiled in the fields from dawn till dusk.” It emphasizes the arduous and time - consuming nature of the work.
- Usage:
- Used in traditional work - related contexts such as farming, manual labor, and also in a more figurative sense to describe any difficult and prolonged effort. For example, in motivational speeches (“You must toil to achieve success”), in historical descriptions of hard work (“The slaves toiled under harsh conditions”), and in any situation where a long and difficult struggle is emphasized.