1. To direct a blow at someone or something. The boy struck at the bully with his fist. I began striking at the blockage with a metal rod, trying to dislodge it from the pipe.

2. To attempt to impair, disable, or discredit some part or element of something. By cracking down on the opium trade, the task force is hoping to strike the main source of funding for the dictatorship. Their campaign has been striking at the incumbent senator's position on tax reform.