struggle - to exert strenuous effort against opposition; "he struggled to get free from the rope"

attempt, essay, try, assay, seek - make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world"

be at pains, take pains - try very hard to do something

buck - to strive with determination; "John is bucking for a promotion"

extend oneself - strain to the utmost

kill oneself, overexert oneself - strain oneself more than is healthy

labor, labour, tug, push, drive - strive and make an effort to reach a goal; "She tugged for years to make a decent living"; "We have to push a little to make the deadline!"; "She is driving away at her doctoral thesis"

bother, inconvenience oneself, trouble oneself, trouble - take the trouble to do something; concern oneself; "He did not trouble to call his mother on her birthday"; "Don't bother, please"