struggled

6 definitions • 8 examples

past simple and past participle of

to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something:

[ + 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.

to move somewhere with great effort:

He struggled along the rough road holding his son.

By this time he'd managed to struggle out of bed.

to be in danger of failing or being defeated:

After the first half, United were really struggling.

to fight, especially with your hands:

He struggled with his attacker who then ran away.

to use a lot of effort to defeat someone, prevent something, or achieve something:

For years she struggled with/against the establishment to get her theories accepted.