struggle

A difficult fight or effort, often lasting a long time.

• The struggle lasted many years.
• Workers began a struggle for better pay.
• Several people were injured during the struggle.

How to use it: a struggle for something (The struggle for equal rights continued for years.); a struggle against something (They joined the struggle against unfair laws.)

Similar words: fight, battle, conflict

Common phrases: armed struggle, struggle for something, struggle against something, power struggle

To find something difficult and try hard to do it.

• I struggle to remember names.
• He struggled with the last question.
• Many families are struggling to pay their bills.

How to use it: struggle to do something (I struggled to open the heavy door.); struggle with something (She struggles with spelling.)

Similar words: have difficulty, have trouble

Common phrases: struggle to do something, struggle with something, struggle financially

To try very hard or fight to achieve something or defeat something.

• The workers struggled for fair pay.
• They struggled against the powerful army.
• For years, she struggled to win equal rights.

How to use it: struggle for something (They struggled for freedom for many years.); struggle against something (The villagers struggled against poverty.); struggle to do something (She struggled to protect her community.)

Similar words: fight, strive, battle

Common phrases: struggle for something, struggle against something, struggle to do something

To twist and move your body forcefully, usually to get free.

• The child struggled in his arms.
• She struggled to free her wrists.
• The trapped animal struggled against the ropes.

How to use it: struggle to do something (The bird struggled to escape from the net.); struggle against someone/something (He struggled against the hands holding him.)

Similar words: wriggle, thrash

Common phrases: struggle free, struggle to escape, struggle against someone