strive
v.v. to try very hard to achieve something or reach a goal. You use this when the task is difficult and takes a lot of effort over a long time.
v. to make strenuous efforts toward any goal; to struggle or fight vigorously. Intransitive — often followed by an infinitive or a prepositional phrase.
We must strive to improve our service every day.
The non-profit organization continues to strive for equality in the local housing market despite limited funding.
In his final address, the philosopher argued that humans must strive for excellence not for the sake of recognition, but as a fundamental duty to their own potential.
From Middle English striven (“to strive”), from Old French estriver (“to compete, quarrel”), from Frankish strīban (“to exert, make an effort”) from Proto-Germanic strībaną, or from Frankish stribēn (“to strive”) from Proto-Germanic stribāną. As this verb is conjugated as if it were a strong verb (like drive, ride, and write), it is possible this word may instead be inherited from an unattested Old English strīfan or strifian, which would itself also be inherited from Proto-Germanic *strībaną.
The verb is intransitive and typically takes the preposition 'for' or a 'to' infinitive.
They strive the successThey strive for successStrive is intransitive and cannot take a direct object; it requires a preposition like 'for' or 'after it.