26984 words

struggle

16 definitions • 29 examples
1
to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] The dog had been struggling to get free of the wire noose.
I've been struggling to understand this article all afternoon.
Fish struggle for survival when the water level drops in the lake.
2
to move somewhere with great effort:

Examples:

He struggled along the rough road holding his son.
By this time he'd managed to struggle out of bed.
3
to be in danger of failing or being defeated:

Examples:

After the first half, United were really struggling.
4
to fight, especially with your hands:

Examples:

He struggled with his attacker who then ran away.
5
to use a lot of effort to defeat someone, prevent something, or achieve something:

Examples:

For years she struggled with/against the establishment to get her theories accepted.
6
a very difficult task that you can do only by making a great effort:

Examples:

It was a terrible struggle for him to accept her death.
The people of this country will continue in their struggle for independence.
[ + to infinitive ] She never gave up the struggle to have her son freed from prison.
It's going to be an uphill struggle (= very difficult) to get your ideas accepted.
7

Examples:

a struggle with an armed robber
the struggle between good and evil
Clearly there will be a power struggle within the company.
8
to work hard to do something:

Examples:

We watched boys on skateboards struggle to keep their balance.
9

Examples:

He struggled with his cousin, and his uncle had to step in to calm things down.
10
to move with difficulty:

Examples:

She struggled out of her chair.
11
a fight:

Examples:

Both men were arrested after their struggle in the street.
12
a very great effort to do something:

Examples:

Central banks everywhere are still fighting the struggle against inflation.
13
a hard effort or fight to do or get something:

Examples:

a struggle for sth There was a struggle for control of the company.
a struggle against sth The struggle against drugs took up much of the police's time and manpower.
14
something that is extremely difficult to achieve:

Examples:

We completed the project, but it was a struggle.
a struggle to do sth It has been a struggle to make the business profitable.
15
to try or fight very hard in order to do or get something:

Examples:

struggle with/against sth For years she struggled with the department to get her ideas accepted.
struggle for sth Women struggle for equal rights.
16
to find it extremely difficult to succeed or to achieve something:

Examples:

struggle to do sth The Government will struggle to achieve its target of 15% of electricity from renewables.
struggle along/through The company may struggle along on its own but a merger with a stronger company would be better for its pension holders.

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