strife

Noun

Synonyms: discord

WordNet 3.0

Strife \Strife\, n. [OF. estrif. See Strive.]

1.The act of striving; earnest endeavor. [Archaic] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2.Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts. [1913 Webster]

Doting about questions and strifes of words.— 1 Tim. vi. 4.[1913 Webster]

Thus gods contended -- noble strife Who most should ease the wants of life.— Congreve.[1913 Webster]

3.Altercation; violent contention; fight; battle. [1913 Webster]

Twenty of them fought in this black strife.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

These vows, thus granted, raised a strife above Betwixt the god of war and queen of love.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

4.That which is contended against; occasion of contest. [Obs.] "Lamenting her unlucky strife." --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Contest; struggle; quarrel. See Contention. [1913 Webster]