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Definition of struggle noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    struggle

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//ˈstrʌɡl//
     
     
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  1. 1[countable] a hard fight in which people try to obtain or achieve something, especially something that someone else does not want them to have a power/leadership struggle struggle (with somebody) (for/against something) a struggle for independence Three teams are locked in a struggle for this year's title. struggle (with somebody) (to do something) He is engaged in a bitter struggle with his rival to get control of the company. struggle (between A and B) the struggle between good and evil She will not give up her children without a struggle. Thesauruscampaign
    • battle
    • struggle
    • drive
    • war
    • fight
    These are all words for an effort made to achieve or prevent something.
    • campaign a series of planned activities that are intended to achieve a particular social, commercial, or political aim:the campaign for health care reform an advertising campaign
    • battle a competition or argument between people or groups of people trying to win power or control:She finally won her legal battle. the endless battle between man and nature
    • struggle a competition or argument between people or groups of people trying to win power or control:the struggle for independence the struggle between good and evil
    battle or struggle?These words are very similar and in many cases you can use either word. However, battle often refers to a shorter, more direct fight. A struggle may be a longer fight against powerful forces instead of individuals or one particular problem:the battle for the Republican nomination her long struggle for recognition
    • drive an organized effort by a group of people to achieve something:the drive for success a drive to reduce energy consumption a major fund drive
    campaign or drive?
    • A campaign is usually an attempt to get other people to do something, that takes place over a period of time; a drive may be a shorter or more local effort. A campaign may be larger, more formal, and more organized than a drive.
    • war [sing.] an effort over a long period of time to get rid of or stop something bad:the war against poverty
    • fight [sing.] the work of trying to stop or prevent something bad or achieve something good; an act of competing, especially in a sport:Workers won their fight for better benefits and higher pay.
    war or fight?
    • A war is about stopping things, like drugs and crime, that everyone agrees are bad. A fight can be about achieving justice for yourself.
    Patterns
    • a campaign/battle/struggle/drive/war/fight against something
    • a campaign/battle/struggle/drive/fight for something
    • a one-man/one-woman/personal campaign/battle/struggle/war
    • a bitter campaign/battle/struggle/drive/war/fight
    • to launch/embark on a campaign/battle/drive
    • to lead/continue the campaign/battle/struggle/drive/fight
    • to win/lose a battle/struggle/war/fight
  2. 2[countable] a physical fight between two people or groups of people, especially when one of them is trying to escape, or to get something from the other There were no signs of a struggle at the murder scene. After a short struggle, I managed to get the knife away from him. Thesaurusfight
    • clash
    • brawl
    • struggle
    • scuffle
    These are all words for a situation in which people try to defeat each other using physical force.
    • fight a situation in which two or more people try to defeat each other using physical force:He got into a fight with a man in the parking lot.
    • clash (journalism) a short fight between two groups of people:Clashes broke out between police and demonstrators.
    • brawl a noisy and violent fight involving a group of people, usually in a public place:a drunken brawl in a bar
    • struggle a fight between two people or groups of people, especially when one of them is trying to escape, or to get something from the other:There were no signs of a struggle at the murder scene.
    • scuffle a short and not very violent fight or struggle:He was involved in a scuffle with a photographer.
    Patterns
    • a fight/clash/brawl/struggle/scuffle over something
    • in a fight/brawl/struggle/scuffle
    • a violent fight/clash/struggle
    • to be in/get into/be involved in a fight/clash/brawl/scuffle
    • a fight/clash/brawl/scuffle breaks out
  3. 3[singular] struggle (to do something) something that is difficult for you to do or achieve synonym effort It was a real struggle to be ready on time. They face an uphill struggle to get to the finals of the competition.
See struggle in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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