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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.

Sudan slid into chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle exploded into open fighting in Khartoum and elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Their struggle mirrors what is happening in the countryside: a breakdown that is squeezing both producers and consumers at once.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Discussion had started to build once again about why the big-name LIV golfers were continuing to struggle at the majors as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau toiled at the Masters.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Big-name campuses turn away students while hundreds of lesser-known schools struggle to fill seats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Self-assess on their very important efforts and know what to do during the routine enterprises, but struggle in new situations.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

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