struggle

verb

strug·gle | \ˈstrə-gəl

struggled; struggling\ ˈstrə-g(ə-)liŋ

Definition of struggle

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition struggling with the problem

2 : to proceed with difficulty or with great effort struggled through the high grass struggling to make a living

struggle

noun

Definition of struggle (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : contest, strife armed struggle a power struggle

2 : a violent effort or exertion : an act of strongly motivated striving a struggle to make ends meet

3 : tussle sense 1 during the struggle the gun went off

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Examples of struggle in a Sentence

Verb

He has been struggling with the problem of how to keep good workers from leaving. They struggled for the right to vote. She struggled up the hill through the snow. She struggled to lift the package by herself, but it was too heavy. He struggled to get free of the wreckage. He's been struggling in math class for most of the year. The team has continued to struggle in recent weeks. He was living as a struggling artist in the city.

Noun

the struggle for civil rights There was a struggle for the gun. There was no sign of a struggle. It was a struggle getting out of bed this morning.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Backup players thrust into starting roles have struggled. — Jordan Culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City sees reasons roller-coaster season can be fixed," 7 July 2018 Strong stomachs are strongly recommended. Streaming: The provocative original series tells the story of brothel owner Margaret Wells and her struggles raising daughters in 18th century England. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "On TV This Week: All the Top Shows and Movies You Need to Catch," 7 July 2018 For a struggling theater industry, that could be a boon. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Why MoviePass is the future — even if it doesn’t survive," 6 July 2018 Baltimore is struggling to tackle its high rates of violent crime, her office still has a strained relationship with city police, and a federal consent decree mandating sweeping police reforms is gradually ramping up. — Bloomberg.com, "Top Baltimore Prosecutor Mosby Wins Democratic Primary," 27 June 2018 In 2011, while Massachusetts struggled out of the recession, the state spent $752,000 to study cost savings for the State Police. — Todd Wallack, BostonGlobe.com, "For some State Police, it’s a posting in paradise," 14 July 2018 The bullpen’s shutout was a welcome sight for a unit that has struggled recently, posting an ERA just short of six in the month of July. — Mike Persak, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marlins shut out Phillies, 2-0, even weekend series with division leaders," 14 July 2018 Puerto Rico has continued to struggle both to recover from the 2017 storms and prepare for the 2018 season. — Frances Robles, New York Times, "FEMA Was Sorely Unprepared for Puerto Rico Hurricane, Report Says," 12 July 2018 But Facebook continued to struggle in the areas where the company's diversity has always been in shortest supply: in technical and leadership roles. — Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, "Facebook's diversity efforts failing African-American and Hispanic women," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Influenced by social forces like the labor movement, feminism, and the struggle for civil rights, 20th-century historians gradually broadened their vision beyond the old themes of politics and war to include a fuller range of humanity. — Amy Crawford, BostonGlobe.com, "Why is history always about humans?," 13 July 2018 Eight years later — after about 200 University of Louisville men's basketball games, 200 or so concerts, financial struggles and grave concerns about a potential bond default — the arena finances are still being discussed. — Allison Ross, The Courier-Journal, "How KFC Yum Center became Louisville's billion-dollar baby," 12 July 2018 There were many struggles ahead for black Americans over civil and political rights. — Martha S. Jones, Time, "How the 14th Amendment's Promise of Birthright Citizenship Redefined America," 9 July 2018 The songs are really in touch with the struggles and issues of the times. — Aaron Carnes, sacbee, "Drop Dead Red, ready for next level with new album "AirRaid," plays Harlow's July 13," 6 July 2018 Offensive struggles aside, Walker also intends to be more fierce on defense. — Jabari Young, San Antonio Express-News, "Walker eager to put bad first outing behind him," 3 July 2018 The south coast side eventually avoided relegation, after Mark Hughes accumulated eight points from eight games, but Pellegrino's struggles will live on in the minds of Southampton fans. — SI.com, "Mauricio Pellegrino Aiming to Avoid Southampton Mistakes After Signing 1-Year Leganes Contract," 13 July 2018 The state’s struggle to transform a business that for decades had operated illegally in the shadows into a regulated industry sets an example for other states moving toward legalization. — Washington Post, "Oregon’s medical marijuana program admits to problems," 13 July 2018 Kentucky’s defense – like most teams -- has been particularly prone to struggles against dual-threat quarterbacks like Jackson in recent years, so being able to worry less about the quarterback run with Pass under center could be key. — Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal, "How Kentucky football can win (or lose) against Louisville in 2018," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'struggle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near struggle

struggle for existence

struggle on

Struldbrug

Statistics for struggle

Last Updated

7 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for struggle

The first known use of struggle was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for struggle

struggle

verb

English Language Learners Definition of struggle

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to try very hard to do, achieve, or deal with something that is difficult or that causes problems

: to move with difficulty or with great effort

: to try to move yourself, an object, etc., by making a lot of effort

struggle

noun

English Language Learners Definition of struggle (Entry 2 of 2)

: a long effort to do, achieve, or deal with something that is difficult or that causes problems

: a physical fight between usually two people

: something that is difficult to do or achieve

See the full definition for struggle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

struggle

verb

strug·gle | \ˈstrə-gəl

struggled; struggling

Kids Definition of struggle

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to make a great effort to do or achieve something or to overcome someone or something I struggled with the burglar. We're struggling with money problems.

2 : to move with difficulty or with great effort A woman struggled through the snow.