struggle
15 synonyms and 0 antonyms for struggle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make a strong, difficult effort to do, achieve, or overcome something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use struggle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English struglen, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Middle Dutch words meaning "to stumble" or "to trip."
Full origin of struggle →Frequently asked questions
What does “struggle” mean?
The word “struggle” means to make a strong, difficult effort to do, achieve, or overcome something. In plain terms, fighting hard against something difficult, whether it’s a task, an opponent, or circumstances.
How do you pronounce “struggle”?
“Struggle” is pronounced STRUH-guhl (/ˈstɹʌɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “struggle” in a sentence?
Here is “struggle” used in a sentence: “She struggled to finish the marathon in the heat.”
What part of speech is “struggle”?
Depending on how it is used, “struggle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “struggle” come from?
The word “struggle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English struglen, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Middle Dutch words meaning "to stumble" or "to trip.".
Is “struggle” a common word?
“Struggle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “struggle” have?
“Struggle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a strong, difficult effort to do, achieve, or overcome something.
What is the difference between struggle and strive?
Both involve determined effort, but the emphasis differs. To strive is to work hard toward a goal, stressing ambition and aspiration. To struggle stresses the difficulty and hardship involved, suggesting you are up against real resistance. You can strive calmly, but struggling implies you are finding something genuinely tough.
Is struggle a negative word?
Not entirely. It describes difficulty, which sounds negative, but it usually also implies effort and perseverance rather than giving up. Saying that someone struggled to finish a race can actually highlight their determination. Context decides the tone: struggle can express hardship, admiration for persistence, or both at once.
What is the opposite of struggle?
The opposite is doing something easily and smoothly. Verbs like breeze through, glide, sail through, or manage with ease all capture the idea of effortless success. Where struggle suggests fighting against resistance, its opposites suggest little or no difficulty at all.