v. & n.
--v.intr.
1. make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction.
2 (often foll. by for, or to + infin.) make violent or determined efforts under difficulties; strive hard (struggled for supremacy; struggled to get the words out).
3 (foll. by with, against) contend; fight strenuously (struggled with the disease; struggled against superior numbers).
4 (foll. by along, up, etc.) make one's way with difficulty (struggled to my feet).
5 (esp. as struggling adj.) have difficulty in gaining recognition or a living (a struggling artist).
--n.
1. the act or a spell of struggling.
2 a hard or confused contest.
3 a determined effort under difficulties.
Phrases and idioms:
the struggle for existence (or life) the competition between organisms esp. as an element in natural selection, or between persons seeking a livelihood.
Derivatives:
struggler n.
Etymology: ME strugle frequent. of uncert. orig. (perh. imit.)