{"id":77087,"date":"2025-12-13T05:24:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T04:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oracioncristiana.org\/en\/define-strife\/"},"modified":"2025-12-13T05:24:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T04:24:02","slug":"define-strife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oracioncristiana.org\/en\/define-strife\/","title":{"rendered":"Define strife: essential, complete guide with 5 key examples"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span>Define strife: meaning, origin, and modern usage<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you have ever paused mid-sentence to define strife, you are not alone. The word appears in news headlines, workplace policies, classic literature, and everyday conversation, yet it can feel slippery. Is it the same as conflict? Does it imply violence? And how is it used correctly in a sentence? This guide sets out to define strife clearly, unpack where the word comes from, and show how to use it with confidence in modern British English.<\/p>\n

It matters to define strife precisely because the term sits at the intersection of language and life: it describes tensions that affect relationships, communities, and even nations. By exploring definitions, examples, synonyms and common pitfalls, you will be able to define strife in a way that is accurate, nuanced and practical.<\/p>\n

By the end of this article, you will not only be able to define strife with clarity, but also recognise its shades of meaning, avoid typical mistakes, and choose alternatives when they suit your tone better.<\/p>\n

<\/span>What does strife mean? A clear definition<\/span><\/h2>\n

At its simplest, when we define strife we refer to serious and sometimes prolonged conflict, tension or discord between people or groups. Unlike a fleeting disagreement, strife tends to be ongoing or intense, marked by friction, antagonism or bitter feelings. It does not automatically imply physical violence, but it can occur alongside it, especially in contexts such as \u201ccivil strife\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/span>How dictionaries define strife<\/span><\/h3>\n

Major dictionaries converge when they define strife: they stress conflict, often bitter and persistent. For concise, authoritative entries, see the Cambridge Dictionary\u2019s definition of \u201cstrife\u201d at Cambridge Dictionary: strife<\/a> and the Oxford Learner\u2019s Dictionaries entry at Oxford Learner\u2019s Dictionaries: strife<\/a>. These resources help define strife in contemporary usage and provide pronunciation, example sentences and related words.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Where the word comes from: etymology and history<\/span><\/h2>\n

To define strife more precisely, it helps to look at its roots. The noun entered Middle English from Old French \u201cestrif\u201d (meaning quarrel or dispute). It is related to, but distinct from, the verb \u201cstrive\u201d, which originally meant to quarrel or contend and later evolved to mean \u201cmake great efforts\u201d. This shared history explains why the two words look and sound similar, yet we must keep their meanings separate in modern English.<\/p>\n

Historically, strife appears across religious texts, political writing and literature as a label for human discord. From family feuds to factional battles, the term has long served writers who needed a word for serious contention that might simmer for years or flare into unrest.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Synonyms, antonyms and close comparisons<\/span><\/h2>\n

When people try to define strife, they often reach for a synonym. The best choice depends on context and intensity. Below are helpful alternatives and contrasts that sharpen your language.<\/p>\n