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

Deltas in low- and middle-income countries additionally struggle with rapid urbanisation and limited resources.

From Science Daily

In 2022, as the Rams stumbled to a 5-12 record, Rams executives watched McVay struggle to navigate the team’s faltering play.

From Los Angeles Times

The apartment, she says, “is a whole life. A life of struggle, of scarcity, of living, of working.”

From Los Angeles Times

Because they fundamentally misunderstand the nature of the threat and struggle, the combination of these forces will be very difficult if not impossible for the “institutionalists” and mainstream members of the political class, news media and other elites to stop.

From Salon

"It's been a long hard struggle - everyone knows this, the troubles we've had with Glen Sannox - but we've finally got it over and we're looking forward to the islanders getting a vessel," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

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