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Definitions

struggle

[struhg-uhl] / ˈstrʌg əl /
NOUN
hard try; fight to win
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attempt battle clash combat conflict contest effort encounter endeavor skirmish strife trial work
STRONG
brush essay exertion free-for-all grind hassle jam jump labor pains rough-and-tumble roughhouse row scramble set-to striving toil tussle undertaking wrangle
WEAK
long haul
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement calm idleness laziness peace retreat success surrender truce
STRONG
entertainment fun
WEAK
giving-in
VERB
labor, work
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cope seek strive tackle toil try
STRONG
assay attempt dig endeavor grind hassle hustle offer plug scratch slave strain sweat undertake
WEAK
bend over backwards break one's back break one's neck exert oneself give it one's best shot give the old college try go all out have one's nose to grindstone make every effort plug away take a crack take a stab take on try one's hardest work like a dog
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forget idle neglect
STRONG
be lazy ignore laze procrastinate withhold
WEAK
rest surrender yield
VERB
fight, wrestle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compete contend grapple
STRONG
battle brawl buck contest hassle romp rough-house row scrap scuffle shuffle slug smack tangle
WEAK
bump heads cross swords go up against lock horns put up a fight
Antonyms
STRONG
agree concur make peace
WEAK
idle laze rest surrender yield

Usage

What are other ways to say struggle? The noun struggle, when referring to a fight or contest of any kind, implies vigorous bodily effort or violent exertion: a hand-to-hand struggle. A brush is a brief encounter or skirmish: a brush with the law. Clash implies a direct and sharp collision between opposing parties, efforts, interests, etc.: a clash of opinions.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Britain is known round the world for its comedy – but industry leaders are warning the "next generation of comedy voices" will struggle to break through without more funding and incentives.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

European pain matters for the U.S., too: Foreign customers for U.S. goods and services might lose buying power as their own economies struggle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

But that’s because he’s confident you’ll leave bursting with thoughts and feelings about the price of progress, the weight of history and the ways we struggle to do right amid so much that’s wrong.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The planet has several unusual features that scientists still struggle to explain.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

I struggle to make sense of the voices that are boiling up all around me.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.