struggle
gb/stɹˈʌɡəl/ us/stɹˈʌɡəl/
B1
English
~ 2400
küzd, küszködik, ellenáll, dulakodik, küzdelem, dulakodás
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to struggle to [do something]
She struggled to finish the marathon in the heat.
Küzdött, hogy a hőségben befejezze a maratont.
I’m struggling to learn this new software.
Küszködöm ennek az új szoftvernek a megtanulásával.
They struggled for years to make their small business profitable.
He struggled to keep his balance on the icy path.
Learner examples
I struggle to wake up early.
Nehezen kelek fel korán.
She struggles to read the small words.
Nehezen olvassa el az apró betűket.
We struggle to carry the heavy box.
He struggles to remember names.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'struggle' with 'try', but 'struggle' implies repeated difficulty or effort, not just attempting once.
Meaning
Make a great effort
Collocations
struggle to cope
|struggle to survive
|struggle to understand
|struggle with homework
|struggle for success
Synonyms
strive (Often implies a noble or long-term effort, sometimes more formal.)
|
labor (Emphasizes physical or mental work, but can sound more formal or old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
succeed (Indicates achieving the goal without continued difficulty.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To try very hard to do something that is not easy.
To make a strong effort to do or achieve something that is difficult or requires a lot of energy.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to struggle against [someone/something]
The prisoner struggled against his captors.
A rab ellenállt a fogvatartóinak.
She struggled with the man trying to steal her bag.
Dulakodott a férfival, aki megpróbálta ellopni a táskáját.
They struggled against unfair laws.
Learner examples
The child struggled with the rope.
A gyerek küzdött a kötéllel.
He struggled against the guards.
Ellenállt az őröknek.
She struggled with the man in the dark.
Meaning
Fight against something
Collocations
struggle against oppression
|struggle with an attacker
|struggle against the tide
Synonyms
wrestle (Emphasizes close physical fighting or grappling.)
|
resist (Focuses on opposing or refusing control, often in a broader sense.)
Antonyms
submit (Means to give in or stop resisting.)
Themes
conflict
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To fight or push against someone or something.
To physically or mentally resist or fight against someone or something.
NOUN
B1
3
küzdelem
B1
It was a real struggle to get the project finished on time.
Igazi küzdelem volt időben befejezni a projektet.
Her life has been a constant struggle.
Az élete állandó küzdelem volt.
The struggle for independence lasted many years.
Learner examples
It is a struggle to find food.
Már élelmet találni is küzdelem.
The test was a struggle for me.
Nagy küzdelem volt számomra a teszt.
Their struggle for freedom was long.
Meaning
A hard effort
Collocations
long struggle
|daily struggle
|struggle for survival
|struggle for equality
Synonyms
effort (A general term for trying, but without necessarily implying hardship.)
|
battle (Metaphorical for a prolonged and difficult effort.)
Antonyms
ease (Refers to doing something without difficulty.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A time when it is hard to do something.
A situation involving great effort or difficulty in trying to achieve something.
NOUN
B1
4
dulakodás
B2
There was a brief struggle before the thief ran away.
Rövid dulakodás alakult ki, mielőtt a tolvaj elfutott.
Police reported no signs of a struggle at the scene.
A rendőrség szerint a helyszínen nem voltak dulakodásra utaló jelek.
The two men were injured in the struggle.
Learner examples
There was a struggle in the street.
Dulakodás volt az utcán.
The police saw no signs of a struggle.
A rendőrök nem láttak dulakodásra utaló jeleket.
They had a short struggle before he ran away.
Meaning
A physical fight or conflict
Collocations
violent struggle
|brief struggle
|deadly struggle
Synonyms
fight (General term for physical conflict; less specific about being close-range.)
|
scuffle (Suggests a short, confused physical fight.)
Antonyms
truce (An agreement to stop fighting.)
Themes
conflict
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short fight between people who are close together.
A physical contest or conflict between people, often involving grappling or resistance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
struggle
IPA
GB/stɹˈʌɡəl/
US/stɹˈʌɡəl/
Syllables & stress
struggle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (struggle)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: struggle
- Plural: struggles
Verb
- Base: struggle
- 3rd Person Singular: struggles
- Present Participle: struggling
- Past: struggled
Word family
Forms
struggles
noun
struggling
verb
struggled
verb
Related words
struggler
noun
Expressions
class struggle
1/klˈæs stɹˈʌɡəl/
fixed phrase
Conflict between social classes
Disagreement and fighting between rich and poor groups in society.
Examples
- The novel deals with themes of class struggle.
- Class struggle has shaped much of history.
power struggle
1/pˈaʊɚ stɹˈʌɡəl/
fixed phrase
Competition for control or influence
A situation where two or more people try to get control over something.
Examples
- There is an ongoing power struggle within the company.
- The story is about a power struggle between two leaders.
struggle for survival
1/stɹˈʌɡəl fɚ sɚvˈaɪvəl/
fixed phrase
Fight to stay alive
To try very hard to stay alive or keep going.
Examples
- After the storm, many animals faced a struggle for survival.
- The refugees are in a daily struggle for survival.
struggle with
1/stɹˈʌɡəl wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
Have difficulty handling something
To find it hard to do or manage something.
Examples
- I often struggle with time management.
- She struggles with math at school.