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

Shortly after, Panettiere struggles with postpartum depression, and her substance abuse issues resurface. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Tua Tagovailoa has been in the spotlight, after starting last week and struggling through his first live opportunities with the offense. — Ajc Sports, AJC.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Noun

That ambiguity is echoed in Banks’ score, which takes on the tone of a lament and a celebration, frustration and hope, struggle and liberation, the quest for transcendence in the face of the challenges posed by daunting inequities. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

The groundswell of support has been echoed by women across the nation who have seen some of their own experiences reflected in Clancy’s descriptions of her postpartum mental health struggles and difficulty navigating the system to get help. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 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