struggle

[ struhg-uhl ]

/ ˈstrʌg əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR struggle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), strug·gled, strug·gling.

to contend with an adversary or opposing force.

to contend resolutely with a task, problem, etc.; strive: to struggle for existence.

to advance with violent effort: to struggle through the snow.

(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.

to bring, put, etc., by struggling: She struggled the heavy box into a corner.

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

noun

the process or an act or instance of struggling.

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

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

Nearby words

structure, structured, structured programming, structureless, strudel, struggle, struggle bus, struggle for existence, strum, struma, struma lymphomatosa

Origin of struggle

1350–1400; Middle English struglen, stroglen, frequentative v. (see -le) formed on a base of obscure origin

SYNONYMS FOR struggle

1 oppose, contest, fight, conflict.

7 endeavor, exertion.

8 encounter, skirmish. Struggle, brush, clash refer to a hostile meeting of opposing persons, parties, or forces. Struggle implies vigorous bodily effort or violent exertion: a hand-to-hand struggle. A brush is a brief, but smart, and often casual combat: a brush between patrols. Clash implies a direct and sharp collision between opposing parties, efforts, interests, etc.: a clash of opinions.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR struggle ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsstrug·gler, nounstrug·gling·ly, adverbpre·strug·gle, noun, verb (used without object), pre·strug·gled, pre·strug·gling.un·strug·gling, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for struggling

There are instances in which private rehoming works out fine and is the best solution for the struggling family and the children.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking|Tina Traster|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some longtime local acquaintances are struggling to square the man they know with the ugly associations.
No. 3 Republican Admits Talking to White Supremacist Conference|Tim Mak|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Parker tells of a new Texas struggling to deal with inequality.
Will Texas Stay Texan?|David Fontana|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Parker tells of a new Texas struggling to deal with diversity.
Will Texas Stay Texan?|David Fontana|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

When everyone is struggling, how much is to be offered to the more destitute, and how much is to be accepted?
This Week’s Hot Reads: December 22, 2014|Mythili Rao|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"I thought the transom was open," said a low voice, which still seemed to be struggling with suppressed laughter.
Blindfolded|Earle Ashley Walcott
Just as the daylight was struggling into the room, the doctor came in silently, and dropped with a little sigh into an easy-chair.
The Squire's Daughter|Silas K(itto) Hocking
Holding the struggling dog firmly with both hands, the Hermit extracted the quills with his teeth.
Followers of the Trail|Zoe Meyer
"They are struggling at the gate—I must leave you," he said hurriedly.
Nell, of Shorne Mills|Charles Garvice
It is already several days that I am struggling with my work and am making no progress.
The Journal of Leo Tolstoi (First Volume--1895-1899)|Leo Tolstoi

British Dictionary definitions for struggling

struggle

/ (ˈstrʌɡəl) /

verb

(intr; usually foll by for or against; may take an infinitive) to exert strength, energy, and force; work or striveto struggle to obtain freedom

(intr) to move about strenuously so as to escape from something confining

(intr) to contend, battle, or fight

(intr) to go or progress with difficulty

noun

a laboured or strenuous exertion or effort

a fight or battle

the act of struggling

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

Derived Formsstruggler, nounstruggling, adjectivestrugglingly, adverb

Word Origin for struggle

C14: of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

struggle

verb (used without object), strug·gled, strug·gling.

verb (used with object), strug·gled, strug·gling.

noun

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Origin of struggle

Examples from the Web for struggling

British Dictionary definitions for struggling

struggle

verb

noun

Word Origin for struggle