Strive (verb)

1. To make a great effort to achieve something, to try hard.
2. To struggle to attain a goal, to contest.

Origin:

From middle english striven, from old english strīfan ("to strive, struggle"), from proto-germanic *striubōną ("to strive, struggle"), from proto-indo-european *streyb- ("to turn, twis.t")

Examples:

1. She was striving to finish the project on time.
2. He was striving to pass the test.
3. They were striving to win the game.
4. She was striving to make a difference in the world.
5. He was striving to improve his skills.