struggle

[struhg-uhl]

verb (used without object)

struggled, struggling 

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)

struggled, struggling 

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: skirmish, encounter

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 radical and armed opposition to apartheid, especially by the military wings of the ANC and the PAC

Other Word Forms

• struggler noun
• strugglingly adverb
• prestruggle noun
• unstruggling adjective
• struggling 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

The Chargers defense has been playing well but tends to struggle with mobile quarterbacks.

From Los Angeles Times

The climate has been tough for many writers who have struggled to find work after enduring a 148-day strike in 2023.

From Los Angeles Times

She faces many challenges including uniting a struggling ruling party after a turbulent few years which saw it rocked by scandals and internal conflicts.

From BBC

The team that struggled with player turnout in recent years had 30 players on Friday listed as suiting up.

From Los Angeles Times

It rendered his usual swing fixes ineffective as he battled mechanical flaws to which he struggled to find answers.

From Los Angeles Times

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.