WordGarden.iostruggle
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /strˈʌɡəl/
US
- /ˈstrəɡəl/
Meanings
Verb
to have difficulty and try very hard to do or achieve something
to fight, wrestle, or make forceful efforts to resist or get free
Noun
a hard effort or difficult process
a fight, conflict, or determined effort against someone or something
Beyond the definition
To struggle means to try very hard when something is difficult or when there is strong opposition. It is more than simply finding something hard; it suggests a real fight, whether with a problem, another person, or even yourself. You might struggle to learn a new language, struggle with money, or see someone struggling with an important decision. Sometimes it is easy to see, like a climber fighting strong winds, and sometimes it happens inside a person, like struggling with doubt. The word can also be used as a noun to describe a long hard fight or a difficult period: "The miners faced a long and bitter struggle for better working conditions."
"Struggle" is a strong word for great effort in the face of difficulty. It does not just mean that something is hard; it suggests a lasting, often tiring fight against a challenge. Think of a small plant pushing its way through concrete: that is a struggle for survival.
As a verb, "struggle" can be used in many ways. You might struggle with a physical task, like lifting a heavy box ("He struggled to lift the box"), with a mental task, like understanding a difficult idea ("She struggled with the physics problem"), or with an emotional burden, like grief ("He's been struggling since his loss"). The word shows strong effort, but it does not promise success.
As a noun, "struggle" can mean the difficult situation itself or a long conflict. We talk about "the struggle for civil rights," meaning the long fight for equality. A personal struggle might be trying to overcome addiction, while a social struggle could be the effort to reduce poverty.
At its heart, the word carries the idea of resistance: something stands in the way, and a person keeps trying anyway. It can describe private pain, public movements, daily challenges, or moments of survival. Whether it is a personal battle, a social fight, or simply getting through a hard day, "struggle" captures the feeling of effort under pressure.
Examples
- 1
Physical effort
She struggled to lift the box onto the shelf.
- 2
Language learning
Many learners struggle with English pronunciation.
- Patternstruggle with + problem
have difficulty with it
- 3
Sleep
I've been struggling to sleep lately.
- 4
Money problems
After the rent went up, the family struggled to make ends meet.
- Phrasemake ends meet
have just enough money for basic living costs
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Emotional control
He was struggling to stay calm during the meeting.
- 6
Business costs
Small businesses are struggling against rising energy costs.
- Patternstruggle against + problem/opponent
try hard to deal with or resist it
- 7
Independence
For decades, people in the region struggled for independence.
- Patternstruggle for + goal
fight hard to achieve it
- 8
Visa process
Getting a visa was a real struggle.
- 9
Company control
There is a power struggle at the top of the company.
- Phrasepower struggle
a fight for control
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- strugglenounverb
Forms
- struggling-ing formverbnoun
- strugglespluralnounverb
- struggledpast tenseverbnoun