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

Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury, said the government knew "families across Britain are still struggling with the cost of living".

From BBC

Several players already fought through the sickness last Saturday, among them running back Woody Marks, who rushed for a career-high 146 yards even as he struggled to breathe because of flu.

From Los Angeles Times

It's generally estimated that around 10% of pregnant people struggle to meet their nutritional needs -- but the real number could be far higher, according to new research from Stevens Institute of Technology.

From Science Daily

And while humanity's life expectancy has increased dramatically in the modern era, we still struggle with the inevitable health issues our bodies face as we get up in the years.

From Science Daily

US media giant Comcast is set to spin off its NBCUniversal cable television arm, as the industry continues to struggle with the emergence of streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

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.