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struggle

verb/ˈstrəɡ(ə)l/

definition

to try something that is very difficult for you

example

Although teachers struggle to fulfil some of the orphaned learner's needs, most are unable to cope with the teaching and caregiving.

synonyms
tacklefightcope with
word origin — late Middle English: frequentative, perhaps of imitative origin. The noun dates from the late 17th century

Upper-Intermediate — Set 80

Set 80 of Upper-Intermediate covers 5 words: struggle, maintain, investigate, conquer, disturb. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. struggle · verb/ˈstrəɡ(ə)l/

    to try something that is very difficult for you

    Although teachers struggle to fulfil some of the orphaned learner's needs, most are unable to cope with the teaching and caregiving.

    Synonyms: tackle, fight, cope with

    Origin: late Middle English: frequentative, perhaps of imitative origin. The noun dates from the late 17th century

  2. maintain · verb/meɪnˈteɪn/

    to allow something to continue as it is

    In order to be a good teacher, you need to maintain a good relationship with your students so that you have mutual trust.

    Synonyms: continue, keep, sustain

    Origin: Middle English (also in the sense ‘practice an action habitually’): from Old French maintenir, from Latin manu tenere ‘hold in the hand’

  3. investigate · verb/ɪnˈvɛstəˌɡeɪt/

    to search for the truth about something by analyzing it in detail

    Police have started to investigate the area where a lot of robberies have taken place recently thoroughly.

    Synonyms: explore, inspect, examine

    Origin: early 16th century: from Latin investigat- ‘traced out’, from the verb investigare, from in- ‘into’ + vestigare ‘track, trace out’

  4. conquer · verb/ˈkɑŋkər/

    to get control of something or a place

    The second Persian invasion of Greece happened in Greco-Persian wars when the king of Greece sought to conquer Persia.

    Synonyms: defeat, overcome, overthrow

    Origin: Middle English (also in the general sense ‘acquire, attain’): from Old French conquerre, based on Latin conquirere ‘gain, win’, from con- (expressing completion) + quaerere ‘seek’

  5. disturb · verb/dəˈstərb/

    to interfere with the normal function of something

    Due to the construction going on in the area, the noise continues to disturb people and even wake them up from their sleep.

    Synonyms: bother, upset, disrupt

    Origin: Middle English: from Old French destourber, from Latin disturbare, from dis- ‘utterly’ + turbare ‘disturb’ (from turba ‘tumult’)