What does struggle mean?
To struggle is to make sustained efforts in the face of difficulty, opposition, or hardship. The word can describe a person trying to achieve a goal, a person or group enduring difficult conditions, or an active conflict or contest. It also functions as a noun for a difficult effort or a prolonged struggle. For example, a family may struggle to make ends meet, while an athlete struggles to regain form after an injury. The expression often suggests persistence rather than a complete lack of action, although it may emphasize that the outcome is uncertain. In social and political contexts, “struggle” commonly refers to competition for rights, recognition, power, or survival. Its broad range of uses makes it especially useful when describing effort that is admirable, difficult, or marked by conflict.
Make repeated efforts to overcome a difficulty, achieve a goal, or cope with adverse circumstances; contend against opposition.
"The students struggled to understand the unfamiliar equation."
Often expresses persistent effort under difficult or uncertain conditions.
A prolonged or difficult effort, conflict, contest, or condition of hardship.
"The family was engaged in a daily struggle to pay its bills."
Common in both personal and public contexts, including political or social conflict.
The plural is used for multiple efforts, difficulties, conflicts, or contests.
"Despite the many struggles of her early career, she became a respected writer."
The word 'struggle' captures the idea of pushing forward when the odds are against you: its history is rooted in the old language of striving and exertion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does struggle come from?
The word entered Middle English in the 14th century in forms such as strugelen, developing from Old English strugian, meaning to strive or make an effort. Its Germanic ancestry is associated with notions of exertion and pressing forward. Over time, the verb broadened from physical effort to conflict and competition, while the noun came to denote a prolonged effort, battle, or contest.
Related word forms
How struggle is actually used
The word is common in both formal and informal registers. It often conveys persistent effort under difficult circumstances and may imply that success is uncertain or achieved only with difficulty.
Easily confused with struggle
A struggle involves effort, difficulty, or conflict, whereas a straggle is someone or something that lags behind or wanders away from the group.