struggle

climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling

an energetic attempt to achieve something

“getting through the crowd was a real struggle”

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)

make a strenuous or labored effort

“She struggled for years to survive without welfare”

strenuous effort

“the struggle to get through the crowd exhausted her”

to exert strenuous effort against opposition

“he struggled to get free from the rope”