strive

/ˈstrīv/

Middle English, to quarrel, contend, fight, endeavor, from Anglo-French estriver to quarrel, from estri, estrif strife

verb

  1. to devote serious effort or energy : endeavor

  2. to struggle in opposition : contend

strive to finish a project

attempt try endeavor essay strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end. attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort. try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.