What does striven mean?
Striven means having made a determined, sustained effort toward a goal or an outcome. It is the past participle of the familiar verb “strive,” which means to try hard to achieve or obtain something. The form is common in formal and literary English, especially when describing an effort that has been persistent, difficult, or principled. A person can be described as striven for equality, excellence, or truth, while an undertaking can be described as striven by a concern for others or by a strong sense of purpose. Although the word is formally related to “strive,” it is not simply interchangeable with that verb: “striven” presents effort as having reached a completed or resulting stage. It can also function as a rare adjective, as in “a striven effort,” meaning marked by determined effort. In everyday speech, “tried” or “worked hard” will usually sound more natural, but “striven” gives formal prose a stronger and more purposeful tone.
The past participle of “strive,” meaning having made a determined effort toward a goal.
"She has striven throughout her career to make high-quality legal services accessible to everyone."
Used chiefly in formal, literary, and elevated prose.
Characterized by determined, purposeful effort toward an aim.
"The committee praised the volunteers' striven commitment to the project."
This adjectival use is comparatively rare and formal.
Striven captures the effort after the striving: it describes a goal pursued with determination, often against difficulty.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does striven come from?
Striven is the past participle of the English verb “strive.” The verb belongs to a family that entered English during the Middle English period, although the precise development of its deeper ancestry remains uncertain. German “streben” and Dutch “streven” are related Germanic words with closely comparable meanings.
How striven is actually used
The form is literary and formal rather than everyday. It is especially common in elevated prose and in constructions such as “striven by” or “striven for,” where it conveys sustained, purposeful effort.
Easily confused with striven
“Striving” is the present participle or gerund of “strive,” whereas “striven” is the past participle.