struggle
     n 1: an energetic attempt to achieve something; "getting through
          the crowd was a real struggle"; "he fought a battle for
          recognition" [syn: {battle}]
     2: 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" [syn: {conflict},
         {battle}]
     3: strenuous effort; "the struggle to get through the crowd
        exhausted her"
     v 1: make a strenuous or labored effort; "She struggled for years
          to survive without welfare"; "He fought for breath"
          [syn: {fight}]
     2: to exert strenuous effort against opposition; "he struggled
        to get free from the rope"
     3: climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling [syn: {clamber}, {scramble},
         {shin}, {shinny}, {skin}, {sputter}]
     4: be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight; "the tribesmen
        fought each other"; "Siblings are always fighting" [syn: {fight}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0