Struggled Struggling Struggle I ˈstrʌɡl Extra Examples Verb

• life as a struggling artist (= one who is very poor)
• shona struggled for breath.
• a country struggling for independence
• the firm is struggling to cope with the demand for its products.

struggle

Verb Forms

1. to try very hard to do something when it is difficult or when there are a lot of problems
• life as a struggling artist (= one who is very poor)
• Shona struggled for breath.
• a country struggling for independence
• The firm is struggling to cope with the demand for its products.
• Local workers were still struggling to find employment.
• Most social enterprises struggle to survive.
• We're already struggling to keep up with demand.
• They struggled just to pay their bills.
• She struggled for 10 years to achieve success as an actress.
• I was unemployed and struggling financially.
• The housing market continues to struggle.

Extra Examples

• For years, she struggled to make ends meet.
• He was really struggling in geometry.
• I'm really struggling with this essay.
• The family struggled through the next few years.
• The team struggled badly last season.
• They had struggled valiantly to keep the railway operating.
• He struggled desperately to get to the shore.
• He struggled hard to keep the boat upright.
2. to move somewhere or do something with difficulty
• I struggled up the hill with the heavy bags.
• Paul struggled out of his wheelchair.
• She had to struggle into the tight dress.

Extra Examples

• She struggled to her feet and set off after him.
• The small boat struggled against the waves.
3. to fight against somebody/something in order to prevent a bad situation or result
• Chloe continued to struggle, but her eyes began to close.
• He struggled against cancer for two years.
• We should all struggle against injustice.
• I have been struggling with injury for a couple of years
• I am struggling with the same issues that other people are.
• Lisa struggled with her conscience before talking to the police.
4. to fight somebody or try to get away from them
• I struggled and screamed for help.
• James was hit in the mouth as he struggled with the raiders.
• How did she manage to struggle free?

Extra Examples

• She struggled furiously but could not get away.
• She struggled against her attacker.
5. to compete or argue with somebody/something, especially in order to get something
• rival leaders struggling for power
• countries struggling with each other for economic and military advantage

Extra Examples

• The two men struggled for control of the party.
• The firms are struggling for market share.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: frequentative, perhaps of imitative origin. The noun dates from the late 17th cent.