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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Struggle: Definition, Examples, and Common Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：strive (struggle)

struggle 🔊

/ˈstrʌɡl/

vi.

to try very hard to do something that is difficult or takes a lot of effort.

Struggle student studying late at night with books

strive 🔊

➕

/straɪv/

vi.

To make a strenuous effort to achieve something despite difficulties.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Middle English 'struglen', possibly from Old Norse 'strugla' meaning to strive or labor.

💡 Mnemonic

Think STR (strong) + UGGLE (ugly) – a strong, ugly fight or effort.

📖 Example

Many students struggle to stay awake while studying late at night before an exam. 🔊 Many students struggle to stay awake while studying late at night before an exam.

🔗 Collocations

struggle to do something – to try very hard to accomplish something

struggle with something – to have difficulty dealing with something

struggle against something – to fight against something

🔄 Synonyms

strive (vi.) – To make great efforts to achieve something.

endeavor (vi.) – To try hard to do or achieve something.

contend (vi.) – To struggle or compete in a difficult situation.

🚫 Antonyms

succeed (vi.) – To achieve what you wanted or intended.

relax (vi.) – To rest and become less tense.

yield (vi.) – To give way or surrender.

🌱 Derivatives

struggling (adj.) – Having difficulty; not successful.

struggler (n.) – A person who struggles.

struggled (v.) – Past tense of struggle.

📖 Cultural Story

Since the 14th century, struggle has described both physical and metaphorical conflict. It is central in social movements (e.g., 'the struggle for equality') and everyday challenges.

Meaning 2：wrestle (struggle)

struggle 🔊

/ˈstrʌɡl/

vi.

to fight someone, especially by holding them and trying to get free.

Struggle two people tugging a jacket apart

wrestle 🔊

➕

/ˈrɛsəl/

vi.

To engage in physical grappling or fighting, often to gain control of something.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The two kids began to struggle over the last piece of cake on the plate. 🔊 The two kids began to struggle over the last piece of cake on the plate.

🔗 Collocations

struggle with someone – to fight physically with someone

struggle over something – to fight for possession of something

struggle to one's feet – to try hard to stand up after falling

🔄 Synonyms

wrestle (vi.) – To fight by grappling with someone and trying to throw them.

tussle (vi.) – To engage in a vigorous struggle or scuffle.

grapple (vi.) – To seize someone and struggle with them.

🚫 Antonyms

release (vt.) – To let go or set free.

surrender (vi.) – To give up or yield to another's power.

cooperate (vi.) – To work together peacefully.

🌱 Derivatives

struggling (adj.) – Having difficulty; not successful.

struggler (n.) – A person who struggles.

struggled (v.) – Past tense of struggle.