struggle

noun

UK /ˈstrʌɡ(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	struggle
plural	struggles

1
countable usually singularan attempt to do something that takes a lot of effort over a period of time
struggle for:
his struggle for recognition as a poet
struggle with:
Her struggle with the disease lasted ten years.
Synonyms and related words
An attempt to do something
attempt
effort
struggle
2
countable/uncountable a fight, or a war
There was a brief struggle, then a shot was fired.
a group involved in armed struggle against the government
Synonyms and related words
Physical fights
fight
battle
combat
Synonyms and related words
Wars, battles and military manoeuvres
war
battle
campaign
1. 2a
  an attempt to defeat someone or something, or to stop them from having power over you
  struggle against:
  the struggle against racism
  struggle for:
  her part in the struggle for democracy
  power struggle:
  Their marriage was a constant power struggle.
  Synonyms and related words
  An attempt to do something
  attempt
  effort
  struggle
3
singular something that takes a lot of physical or mental effort
Foreign languages were always a struggle for him.
It was a struggle to get up the hill in the snow.
Synonyms and related words
Something that is difficult or unpleasant to do or deal with
task
burden
necessity

struggle

noun

US /ˈstrʌɡ(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	struggle
plural	struggles

1
countable usually singularan attempt to do something that takes a lot of effort over a period of time
struggle for:
his struggle for recognition as a poet
struggle with:
Her struggle with the disease lasted ten years.
Synonyms and related words
An attempt to do something
attempt
effort
struggle
2
countable/uncountable a fight, or a war
There was a brief struggle, then a shot was fired.
a group involved in armed struggle against the government
Synonyms and related words
Physical fights
fight
battle
combat
Synonyms and related words
Wars, battles and military maneuvers
war
battle
campaign
1. 2a
  an attempt to defeat someone or something, or to stop them from having power over you
  struggle against:
  the struggle against racism
  struggle for:
  her part in the struggle for democracy
  power struggle:
  Their marriage was a constant power struggle.
  Synonyms and related words
  An attempt to do something
  attempt
  effort
  struggle
3
singular something that takes a lot of physical or mental effort
Foreign languages were always a struggle for him.
It was a struggle to get up the hill in the snow.
Synonyms and related words
Something that is difficult or unpleasant to do or deal with
task
burden
necessity

struggle

verb intransitive

UK /ˈstrʌɡ(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	struggle
he/she/it	struggles
present participle	struggling
past tense	struggled
past participle	struggled

1
to try hard to do something that you find very difficult
He struggled a bit at first, but he reads well now.
struggle to do something:
She was struggling to cope with the demands of her work.
struggle with:
They’ve had to struggle with the painful process of modernization.
struggle for:
Andy was coughing and struggling for breath.
Synonyms and related words
To try hard to do or get something
work
strive
try
2
to use your strength to fight against someone or something
She picked the child up, but he struggled and kicked.
struggle for:
They struggled for possession of the gun.
Synonyms and related words
Physical fights
fight
battle
combat
1. 2a
  to try very hard to move something or to move yourself somewhere
  struggle to do something:
  The sheep struggled to free itself.
  struggle with:
  Foster was struggling with the door in the wind.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
2. 2b
  to manage with a lot of difficulty to move yourself somewhere
  struggle into/out of etc:
  She struggled into her tight jacket.
  struggle free:
  He struggled free and ran to his car to call for help.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
3
to try very hard to defeat someone or to stop them having power over you
struggle to do something:
We have to struggle to win our freedom.
struggle for:
Different factions in the movement are struggling for supremacy.
struggle against:
women struggling against oppression
Synonyms and related words
To compete, or to try to win
compete
vie
contend

struggle

verb intransitive

US /ˈstrʌɡ(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	struggle
he/she/it	struggles
present participle	struggling
past tense	struggled
past participle	struggled

1
to try hard to do something that you find very difficult
He struggled a little at first, but he reads well now.
struggle for:
Andy was coughing and struggling for breath.
struggle with:
They’ve had to struggle with the painful process of modernization.
struggle to do something:
She was struggling to cope with the demands of her work.
Synonyms and related words
To try hard to do or get something
try
work
strive
2
to use your strength to fight against someone or something
She picked the child up, but he struggled and kicked.
struggle for:
They struggled for possession of the gun.
Synonyms and related words
Physical fights
fight
battle
combat
1. 2a
  to try very hard to move something or to move yourself somewhere
  struggle to do something:
  The sheep struggled to free itself.
  struggle with:
  Foster was struggling with the door in the wind.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
2. 2b
  to manage with a lot of difficulty to move yourself somewhere
  struggle into/out of etc.:
  She struggled into her tight jacket.
  struggle free:
  He struggled free and ran to his car to call for help.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
3
to try very hard to defeat someone or to stop them having power over you
struggle to do something:
We have to struggle to win our freedom.
struggle for:
Different factions in the movement are struggling for supremacy.
struggle against:
women struggling against oppression
Synonyms and related words
To compete, or to try to win
compete
vie
contend

struggle ​‌‌

struggle ​‌‌

struggle ​‌‌

struggle ​‌‌

struggle

struggle

struggle

struggle