Entry Word: struggle

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective <a physically challenged child's determined struggle to make straight A's in school>

Synonyms battle, fight, fray, scrabble

Related Words effort, exertion, labor, pains, trouble, work; drudgery, grind, sweat, toil, travail; combat, conflict, contest, strife, tussle, war, warfare; attempt, endeavor, essay, try

2 a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups <there was a struggle between the armed robber and the shopkeeper, and the gun went off> — see fight 1
3 an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another <her staunchest supporters in her struggle for the office> — see contest 1