struggle

A contortion of the body in an attempt to escape or to perform a difficult task.

Strife, contention, great effort.

To strive, to labour in difficulty, to fight (for or against), to contend.

“During the centuries, the people of Ireland struggled constantly to assert their right to govern themselves.”

To strive, or to make efforts, with a twisting, or with contortions of the body.

“She struggled to escape from her assailant's grasp.”