struggle
verb/ˈstrʌɡl/
/ˈstrʌɡl/
Verb Forms
Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they struggle | /ˈstrʌɡl/ /ˈstrʌɡl/ |
| he / she / it struggles | /ˈstrʌɡlz/ /ˈstrʌɡlz/ |
| past simple struggled | /ˈstrʌɡld/ /ˈstrʌɡld/ |
| past participle struggled | /ˈstrʌɡld/ /ˈstrʌɡld/ |
| -ing form struggling | /ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ/ /ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive] 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)
- struggle for something Shona struggled for breath.
- a country struggling for independence
- struggle to do something 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 ExamplesTopics Difficulty and failureb2- 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- desperately
- hard
- manfully
- …
- have to
- against
- along
- down
- …
- struggle to your feet
- [intransitive] + adv./prep. 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 ExamplesTopics Difficulty and failureb2- She struggled to her feet and set off after him.
- The small boat struggled against the waves.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- badly
- really
- clearly
- …
- through
- with
- struggle to make ends meet
- [intransitive] to fight against somebody/something in order to prevent a bad situation or result
- Chloe continued to struggle, but her eyes began to close.
- struggle against somebody/something He struggled against cancer for two years.
- We should all struggle against injustice.
- struggle with somebody/something 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.
- [intransitive] to fight somebody or try to get away from them
- I struggled and screamed for help.
- struggle with somebody James was hit in the mouth as he struggled with the raiders.
- + adj. How did she manage to struggle free?
Extra Examples- She struggled furiously but could not get away.
- She struggled against her attacker.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fiercely
- furiously
- violently
- …
- against
- with
- struggle free
- [intransitive] to compete or argue with somebody/something, especially in order to get something
- struggle for something rival leaders struggling for power
- struggle with somebody/something (for something) countries struggling with each other for economic and military advantage
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentb2- The two men struggled for control of the party.
- The firms are struggling for market share.
Word Originlate Middle English: frequentative, perhaps of imitative origin. The noun dates from the late 17th cent.
Check pronunciation:
struggle