struggle

(n) an energetic attempt to achieve something
- getting through the crowd was a real struggle
- he fought a battle for recognition
battle,
(n) an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
- "the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph"--Thomas Paine
- police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs
conflict, battle,
(n) strenuous effort
- the struggle to get through the crowd exhausted her

(v) make a strenuous or labored effort
- She struggled for years to survive without welfare
- He fought for breath
fight,
(v) to exert strenuous effort against opposition
- he struggled to get free from the rope
(v) climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling clamber, shin, shinny, skin, scramble, sputter,
(v) be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
- the tribesmen fought each other
- Siblings are always fighting
- Militant groups are contending for control of the country
fight, contend,

fight battle conflict clamber shin shinny skin scramble sputter contend

struggler