struggle

1 of 2

verb

strug·​gle ˈstrə-gəl 

struggled; struggling ˈstrə-g(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to make strenuous or forceful efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition

struggling with the problem

struggles with her health

—often followed by to + a verb

struggling to survive

2

a

: to proceed with difficulty or with great effort

struggled through the high grass

struggling to make a living

b

: to try to move something with difficulty

struggled to lift the package

c

: to fight with someone in order to get something

They struggled with each other for the gun.

3

: to be failing : to be doing without success

is struggling in math class

a struggling artist

struggler

ˈstrə-g(ə-)lər 

noun

struggle

2 of 2

noun

1

: contest, strife

armed struggle

a power struggle

2

: a forceful effort or exertion : an act of strongly motivated striving

a struggle to make ends meet

a struggle for civil rights

3

: tussle sense 1

during the struggle the gun went off

Synonyms of struggle

Verb

• stumble

Noun

• fight
• battle
• effort
• fray

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

Tourists visiting Japan also struggle to find trash cans but the reasons behind that are very different. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Nevertheless, this tendency to allow chances persisted throughout the campaign, particularly in the spring when injuries to Sheaf and Matty James meant Wrexham struggled to control the midfield. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

He is seen by many as the successor to Jordan Pickford in England’s goal, and a new ‘keeper is a welcome sight at Elland Road after the struggles of Illan Meslier and then Lucas Perri. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Across Africa, political elites have often sought healthcare or maintained homes abroad, even as public services at home struggle. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English struglen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing struggle

• power struggle
• struggle for existence
• struggle on

Rhymes for struggle

• jugal
• juggle
• mughal
• smuggle
• snuggle

Kids Definition

struggle

1 of 2 verb

strug·​gle ˈstrəg-əl 

struggled; struggling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to make a great effort to overcome someone or something : strive

struggling with the problem

2

: to proceed with difficulty or with great effort

struggled through the snow

struggler

-(ə-)lər 

noun

struggle

2 of 2 noun

1

: fight entry 2 sense 1a, contest

a power struggle

2

: a violent or strenuous effort or exertion

a struggle to make ends meet