strive

To strive means to try very hard to achieve or succeed at something.

When people say they're striving for something, it usually means they're putting in a lot of effort and determination to make it happen. For example, someone who's trying to get into a top university might be striving for admission. It could also mean they're working towards a long-term goal, like building their own business or learning a new skill. The key idea is that they're not just hoping something will happen, but actively doing things every day to make it a reality.