strife

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "strife" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means "conflicts or disagreements, especially within a group of people." For example, "The marriages in the neighborhood were strained by the strife over the new zoning laws."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Flights extra While the situation in East Timor is relatively calm compared with recent periods of political strife, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office still advises against "all but essential travel" to the region.

The Guardian - Travel

Some people thrive on strife and stress, while others prefer total tedium.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Observer has learned that the leader of the gang is a highly-paid British agent who joined the Loyalist Volunteer Force to foment sectarian strife in his native north Belfast during the 1990s.

The Guardian

It boomed after the birth of mass motoring, then crashed in spectacular style thanks to industrial strife in the 70s before being salvaged by foreign owners picking through the wreckage.

The Guardian - Opinion

Artigas, leader of the Banda Oriental, struggled for independence from Argentina and succeeded in 1825, but civil strife continued until the early 20th century.

The Guardian - Travel

Perhaps people who care for literature and art for their own sakes will regret that they should be degraded by connection with the strife of parties.

The Guardian

Among the geopolitical strife and outrageous offerings from contestants such as Conchita Wurst – the cross dressing drag queen representing Austria – it could be a struggle for the UK's entrant, Molly Smitten-Downes, to stand out from the crowd.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But, in a hint of the strife to come, he said that he still wanted to raised tax rises for the wealthy, which Republicans oppose.

The Guardian

"We have in many countries a generation that cannot remember civil strife in their lifetime, are well educated, speak English, understand the west.

The Guardian

Al-Qaida and its sympathisers may yet prevail in the country-wide Hobbesian strife, or Yemen may dissolve into anarchy, like nearby Somalia.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was respected as much by his opponents as by adversaries within his own party and, at times of strife, by the warring factors within the mining industry, which he was proud to call his own.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strife" to denote prolonged or bitter conflict, especially when referring to societal or political discord. It effectively conveys the severity and duration of the conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "strife" for minor disagreements. The term implies significant and often violent conflict; using it for trivial disputes can exaggerate the situation.

Linguistic Context

The noun "strife" functions primarily as a descriptor of conflict, particularly emphasizing prolonged, bitter, or violent disagreements. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it describing political, social, and industrial conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "strife" is a noun used to describe significant and prolonged conflict, often of a violent or bitter nature. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, as well as formal and business contexts. While the word is powerful, it's important to reserve it for situations of real intensity, avoiding its use in trivial disagreements. Alternatives such as "conflict", "discord", and "contention" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Using "strife" effectively requires understanding its weight and implications to accurately convey the severity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conflict

Replaces "strife" with a more general term for disagreement or clash, applicable in various contexts.

discord

Similar to "strife", but often emphasizes a lack of harmony or agreement.

contention

Implies a situation of dispute or argument, similar to "strife".

discordance

Focuses on the lack of agreement or harmony, similar to "strife" but more formal.

friction

Suggests tension and disagreement, often on a smaller scale than "strife".

clash

Emphasizes a direct confrontation or conflict.

quarrel

Highlights a heated argument or disagreement, often personal.

discordancy

Implies a lack of harmony and agreement, similar to "strife" but more formal.

struggle

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in a conflict or disagreement.

antagonism

Suggests active hostility or opposition, which can lead to "strife".

FAQs

How can I use "strife" in a sentence?

"Strife" is typically used to describe prolonged or bitter conflict. For example, "The country was torn apart by years of political strife."

What are some alternatives to the word "strife"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "conflict", "discord", or "contention".

Is it correct to use "strife" to describe a minor disagreement?

No, "strife" implies a significant and often violent conflict, so it's inappropriate for minor disagreements. Use terms like "disagreement" or "dispute" instead.

What's the difference between "strife" and "struggle"?

"Strife" typically refers to conflict between groups, while "struggle" can refer to individual or collective efforts against adversity. "Strife" often involves violence or significant discord.