struggle
[struhg-uh l]
- 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.
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- to bring, put, etc., by struggling: She struggled the heavy box into a corner.
- to make (one's way) with violent effort.
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- 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.
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Origin of struggle
1350–1400; Middle English struglen, stroglen, frequentative v. (see -le) formed on a base of obscure origin
Synonyms
See more synonyms for struggle on Thesaurus.com1. 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for struggling
Contemporary Examples
There are instances in which private rehoming works out fine and is the best solution for the struggling family and the children.
Some longtime local acquaintances are struggling to square the man they know with the ugly associations.
Parker tells of a new Texas struggling to deal with inequality.
Parker tells of a new Texas struggling to deal with diversity.
When everyone is struggling, how much is to be offered to the more destitute, and how much is to be accepted?
Historical Examples
“Vex not thyself,” said the old dame, as she saw him struggling with his sobs.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
As long as you were poor and struggling, Marian was welcome to you.
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
The Little Doctor was struggling with the lump in her throat that he should try to joke about it.
Chip, of the Flying UB. M. Bower
It was as if some mighty pent force were struggling for release.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
There Bob enveloped him in his arms, struggling and kicking, and put him on the horse.
In the ValleyHarold Frederic
struggle
- (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
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- 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
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Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for struggling
struggle
v.
late 14c., probably a frequentative form, of uncertain origin. Skeat suggests Old Norse strugr "ill will;" others suggest a connection to Dutch struikelen, German straucheln "to stumble." Related: Struggled; struggling.
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struggle
n.
1690s, from struggle (v.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper