struggle

[ struhg-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, strug·gled, strug·gling.

1. to contend with an adversary or opposing force.

   Synonyms: conflict, fight, contest, oppose

2. to contend resolutely with a task, problem, etc.; strive:

   to struggle for existence.

3. to advance with violent effort:

   to struggle through the snow.

4. (of athletes and competitors) to be coping with inability to perform well or to win; contend with difficulty:

   After struggling for the whole month of June, he suddenly caught fire and raised his batting average 30 points.

verb (used with object)

, strug·gled, strug·gling.

1. to bring, put, etc., by struggling:

   She struggled the heavy box into a corner.

2. to make (one's way) with violent effort.

noun

1. the process or an act or instance of struggling.

   Synonyms: exertion, endeavor

2. a war, fight, conflict, or contest of any kind.

   Synonyms: encounter, skirmish

3. a task or goal requiring much effort to accomplish or achieve.

struggle

/ ˈstrʌɡəl /

verb

1. intr; usually foll by for or against; may take an infinitive to exert strength, energy, and force; work or strive

   to struggle to obtain freedom

2. intr to move about strenuously so as to escape from something confining
3. intr to contend, battle, or fight
4. intr to go or progress with difficulty

noun

1. a laboured or strenuous exertion or effort
2. a fight or battle
3. the act of struggling
4. the struggle
   the radical and armed opposition to apartheid, especially by the military wings of the ANC and the PAC

Derived Forms

• ˈstrugglingly, adverb
• ˈstruggler, noun
• ˈstruggling, adjective

Other Words From

• struggler noun
• struggling·ly adverb
• pre·struggle noun verb (used without object) prestruggled prestruggling
• un·struggling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of struggle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English struglen, stroglen, frequentative verb ( -le ) formed on a base of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of struggle¹

C14: of obscure origin

Example Sentences

This is no longer an Arsenal side struggling to keep up with their rivals, but one building momentum and finally living up to expectations.

From BBC

Leaseholders are having to stump up an average of £600 a year more in service charge fees than they were five years ago, leaving many struggling to pay, a BBC investigation has found.

From BBC

Sue’s neighbour, James, 31, who lives in the flat upstairs, is also struggling to pay the service charge.

From BBC

If considering him as a potential head coach, teams would have to take USC’s defensive struggles into account.

From Los Angeles Times

Gaetz was already struggling to find support within the Senate, which evaluates and confirms a president's staffing choices for key positions, including attorney general.

From BBC

Related Words

• attempt
• battle
• clash
• combat
• conflict
• contest
• effort
• encounter
• endeavor
• skirmish
• strife
• trial
• work

When To Use

What are other ways to say struggle?

A struggle is a war, fight, conflict, or contest of any kind. How does struggle compare to brush and clash? Find out on Thesaurus.com.