struggle against

[/ˈstrʌɡəl əˈɡɛnst/]

verb (phrasal verb)

lutar contra

1. to make forceful efforts to resist or overcome something difficult or unpleasant

She struggled against her fear of heights.

Ela lutava contra seu medo de alturas.

2. to fight or oppose something or someone

The nation struggled against oppression for decades.

A nação lutou contra a opressão por décadas.

3. to have difficulty dealing with or controlling something

He struggled against the urge to cry.

Ele lutava contra o impulso de chorar.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

lutar contra

most common usage across Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

lutar contra; enfrentar

enfrentar also commonly used in colloquial speech

São Paulo

lutar contra; combater

both terms widely used in formal and informal contexts

Portugal

lutar contra; combater

similar usage to Brazilian Portuguese, with slight preference for combater in formal contexts

struggle against the odds

struggle against all odds

struggle against the current

struggle against one's demons

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