struggle
noun
an energetic attempt to achieve something
“getting through the crowd was a real struggle”
“he fought a battle for recognition”
Synonymsbattlean open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
“the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph”
“police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs”
strenuous effort
“the struggle to get through the crowd exhausted her”
verb
make a strenuous or labored effort
“She struggled for years to survive without welfare”
“He fought for breath”
Synonymsfightto 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
“the tribesmen fought each other”
“Siblings are always fighting”
Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University