struggle

Meanings

• an energetic attempt to achieve something
  • "getting through the crowd was a real struggle"
• an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals); --Thomas Paine
• strenuous effort
  • "the struggle to get through the crowd exhausted her"
• make a strenuous or labored effort
  • "She struggled for years to survive without welfare"
• to exert strenuous effort against opposition
  • "he struggled to get free from the rope"
• climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
• be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

Synonyms

battle, clamber, conflict, contend, fight, scramble, shin, shinny, skin, sputter