struggle
verb
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Definition of struggle
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
nounDefinition of struggle (Entry 2 of 2)
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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Other words from struggle
Verb
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noun
Synonyms for struggle
Synonyms: Verb
bang away, dig (away), drudge, endeavor, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strain, strive, sweat, toil, travail, tug, work
Synonyms: Noun
battle, clash, combat, conflict, contest, dustup, fight, fracas, fray, hassle, scrap, scrimmage, scuffle, skirmish, tussle
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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
But nearly half of the youth struggling with homelessness in Arizona are LGBT. — Lauren Castle, azcentral, "Arizona groups offer health, housing help to LGBT youth," 14 July 2018 The visitors are learning about mental health services Pastoria Migratoria offers to immigrants struggling with everything from depression to alcoholism. — Vikki Ortiz, chicagotribune.com, "'Chicago is the lighthouse': Local Catholic leaders take the lead in supporting immigrants," 13 July 2018 Looking back at the coaching career of Darryl Rogers, who won at Michigan State but struggled with the Detroit Lions. — Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, "Darryl Rogers funeral: Arrangements set for ex-Detroit Lions, MSU coach," 13 July 2018 From there unfurls the classic narrative of the big-time picket-line-crossing sellout, struggling with his own role as a collaborator with evil rich guys as his old comrades soldier on. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, "Sorry to Bother You Is a Dystopian Send-Up of Dystopias," 13 July 2018 No one was hit by the shot, but one officer was injured while struggling with the man early Thursday, according to police. — Tony Rizzo, kansascity, "Man charged with firing gun while fighting with Lenexa police," 13 July 2018 Like Golden State’s unexpected play for DeMarcus Cousins, this signing works because Denver’s worst-case scenario is a clean break should Thomas struggle with his health or role. — Ben Golliver, SI.com, "Grades: Isaiah Thomas Can Rejuvenate Career in Nuggets' Low-Risk Gamble," 13 July 2018 Should every new arrival be checked, with skin and gut swabs and lab tests, as part of hospital admission? Screening won’t be a perfect defense, because clinical microbiology is struggling with this bug. — Maryn Mckenna, WIRED, "The Strange and Curious Case of the Deadly Superbug Yeast," 13 July 2018 As the film begins in 2028, a young Taiwanese nurse (Alina Tsai), known only by her employee number, is shown struggling with her repulsive routines and cramped living quarters in an Indonesian hospital. — Clarence Tsui, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Ten Years Taiwan': Film Review," 13 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Lakeith Stanfield stars as Cassius Green, a young striver who becomes the figurehead for the struggle between the American dream and human morality. — Katie Walsh, kansascity, "‘Sorry to Bother You’ skewers corporate and cultural corruption," 12 July 2018 As peers who've gone through many of the same struggles, Schechter said the Bens as the student counselors are called can offer a unique level of understanding. — Aneri Pattani, chicagotribune.com, "College students train to help peers at risk for suicide, depression and more," 12 July 2018 It was reported to police by a woman who said she was flagged down by the campers — two adults with three children who witnessed the struggle. — Christina Lords, idahostatesman, "Man shot and killed after struggle over firearm at Owyhee River campsite," 10 July 2018 As peers who’ve gone through many of the same struggles, Schechter said the Bens — as the student counselors are called — can offer a unique level of understanding. — Aneri Pattani, Philly.com, "College students train to help peers at risk for suicide, depression and more," 10 July 2018 Neither of these events meant much for the millions-strong struggle to end the Trump administration’s internment of children. — Jessi Hempel, WIRED, "Immigration Fight Shows Silicon Valley Must Stop Feigning Neutrality," 8 July 2018 As the Mets struggle through another lost season, Cespedes has been away with an injury for most of it. — James Wagner, New York Times, "The Mets Are Missing Two Big Things: Wins and Yoenis Cespedes," 7 July 2018 The American struggle to curb opioid addiction could become collateral damage in President Donald Trump’s showdown on trade. — Matthew Garcia, USA TODAY, "What a U.S.-China trade war could mean for opioid epidemic," 6 July 2018 Pat Houston ─ Whitney’s aunt, wife of the late singer’s brother Gary ─ opened up to Fox News about how the family coped with the revelation of abuse and the struggle to address other controversies in Whitney’s life. — Morgan M. Evans, Fox News, "Whitney Houston's aunt opens up about family struggle to reveal sexual abuse in new documentary," 6 July 2018These 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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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
nounEnglish 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
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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.
struggle
nounKids Definition of struggle (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a difficult or violent effort Though it was a struggle to lift my eyes, I did so. —Avi, Crispin
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