DictionaryAI

struggle

STRUG-uhl/ˈstrʌɡəl/

Verbstruggles, struggling, struggled

Noun pluralstruggles

6 meanings of struggle

Practice

  1. 1
    verbintransitive
    To find something hard to do or deal with.

    Like trying to push a heavy door that just won't open.

    Many kids struggle with math when they first start school.

    He struggled to open the tight jar lid.

    UsageSay struggle with math or struggle to do something.

    Similargrapple, wrestle, flounder, strain

    Oppositethrive, excel, cope, succeed

  2. 2
    a hard fightnounfigurativelycountable or uncountable
    A hard fight or great effort to do or get something.

    Like a long, uphill climb that leaves you worn out.

    Learning to read was a real struggle for him at first.

    Their struggle for freedom lasted many long years.

    UsageSay a struggle for freedom, a struggle with pain, or it was a struggle to do it.

    Similarbattle, fight, effort, campaign, conflict

    Oppositeease, peace

  3. 3
    verbintransitive
    To try very hard against something that holds you back or fights you.

    Like pushing forward against a strong wind.

    The early settlers struggled against harsh winters and poor soil.

    Workers struggle for fair pay and safe conditions.

    UsageSay struggle for something you want, or struggle against something hard.

    Similarfight, strive, battle, contend, labor

    Oppositeyield, surrender, submit

  4. 4
    twist to break freeverbintransitive
    To twist and move your body hard, often while trying to get free.

    Like a fish wriggling to get free of a net.

    The cat will struggle if you hold it too tightly.

    He struggled against the ropes that bound his wrists.

    UsageSay struggle against the ropes, or struggle free.

    Similarwrithe, squirm, wriggle, thrash, flail

  5. 5
    move with effortverbintransitive
    To move somewhere, or get into or out of something, with great physical effort.

    With his bad knee, Grandpa has to struggle up the stairs.

    She struggled out of her wet boots by the door.

    UsageSay struggle up the stairs or struggle out of wet boots.

    Similarfight, trudge, scramble

Less common meaning

  1. 6
    nouncountable
    A twisting of the body when trying to get free or do something hard.

    Like a cat twisting hard to get out of a tight hold.

    With one last struggle, the fish slipped off the hook.

    With one hard struggle, the fish slipped off the hook.

    Similarscuffle, tussle

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of struggle apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

This word comes from Middle English struglen. Its origin is not clear. It may be linked to a Middle Dutch word meaning "to stumble or trip," or to an Old Norse word meaning "pride or ill-will."

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 4 facts