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SAT Exam Essential Vocabulary - Challenges and Struggles

Here you will learn some English words related to challenges and struggles, such as "strive", "feat", "persist", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Exam Essential Vocabulary
to withstand

to resist or endure the force, pressure, or challenges imposed upon oneself

Ex: The fabric used in outdoor furniture is designed to withstand exposure to harsh weather .
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to tolerate

to allow something one dislikes, especially certain behavior or conditions, without interference or complaint

Ex: Employees learn to tolerate workplace challenges to maintain a positive and productive atmosphere .
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to struggle

to engage in a violent fight with someone, especially to get out of a difficult situation

Ex: He struggled on the ground , trying to free himself from the tight ropes .
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to tackle
to tackle
[Verb]

to try to deal with a difficult problem or situation in a determined manner

Ex: Governments worldwide are tackling climate change through various initiatives .
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to encounter

to be faced with an unexpected difficulty during a process

Ex: Entrepreneurs must be prepared to encounter setbacks and adapt their strategies .
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to confront

to face or deal with a problem or difficult situation directly

Ex: In therapy , clients work with counselors to confront and address emotional concerns .
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to strive
to strive
[Verb]

to make great efforts or struggle in opposition, often in contention or dispute

Ex: Despite exhaustion , they continued to strive against the current .
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to grapple

to engage in a determined effort to confront and resolve a problem or obstacle

Ex: He grappled with his inner demons, undergoing therapy and self-reflection to address past traumas.
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to resort
to resort
[Verb]

to turn to or use something as a solution or means of help, especially as a last option

Ex: When peaceful protests were ignored, the activists resorted to more drastic measures.
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to persevere

to continue a course of action, especially in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success

Ex: The athletes were inspired to persevere in their training , aiming for the upcoming competition .
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to endeavor

to make an effort to achieve a goal or complete a task

Ex: Artists endeavor to express their unique perspectives and emotions through their creative works .
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to toil
to toil
[Verb]

to work extremely hard and persistently, often with great effort and dedication

Ex: The artist toiled for weeks on the intricate details of the painting .
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to persist

to continue a course of action with determination, even when faced with challenges or discouragement

Ex: He persisted in building his business , even when others told him it would never succeed .
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to rival
to rival
[Verb]

to be equal to or compete closely with someone or something in terms of skill, ability, or performance

Ex: Her cooking skills rival those of professional chefs .
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to endure
to endure
[Verb]

to persist through difficult or painful experiences

Ex: The old castle has endured centuries of wear and remains standing strong .
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to concede

to admit defeat in a competition, election, etc.

Ex: He conceded the argument , admitting that he was wrong .
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to overwhelm

to overpower someone or something emotionally or mentally, leaving them unable to respond effectively

Ex: Anxiety overwhelmed him during the interview .
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to withdraw

to pull back or move away from a position or situation, often in response to a threat or unfavorable conditions

Ex: The unit had to withdraw from their position after sustaining heavy casualties from enemy artillery fire .
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to succumb

to surrender to a superior force or influence

Ex: Many people succumb to the flu virus during the peak of the flu season .
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obstacle
obstacle
[noun]

an intangible difficulty or challenge that must be overcome

Ex: Miscommunication was the biggest obstacle in their negotiations .
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barricade
barricade
[noun]

a defensive barrier erected during wartime to obstruct enemy movement and provide protection for defending forces

Ex: Soldiers utilized abandoned vehicles and debris to improvise barricades, impeding the enemy 's ability to maneuver .
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impediment

anything that blocks or slows progress

Ex: Poor internet connectivity is an impediment to working from home effectively .
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burden
burden
[noun]

a responsibility or task that causes hardship, stress, etc.

Ex: The environmental impact of industrial pollution is a burden that future generations will have to bear .
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tightrope
tightrope
[noun]

a situation where one must navigate carefully to avoid problems or failure

Ex: Handling the media while maintaining privacy is a tightrope act for many celebrities .
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adversity
adversity
[noun]

a situation marked by hardship or misfortune

Ex: Economic adversity affected many families during the recession , leading to job losses and financial strain .
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calamity
calamity
[noun]

an event causing great and often sudden damage, distress, or destruction

Ex: The dam 's failure resulted in a calamity, with a massive flood sweeping through the downstream areas .
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drawback
drawback
[noun]

a disadvantage or the feature of a situation that makes it unacceptable

Ex: Although the offer seems attractive , its drawback is the lack of flexibility .
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mishap
mishap
[noun]

an unexpected and unlucky event

Ex: He had a minor mishap while cooking , resulting in a burnt dish .
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dilemma
dilemma
[noun]

a situation that is difficult because a choice must be made between two or more options that are equally important

Ex: The environmentalists faced a dilemma: support clean energy projects that displaced local communities or oppose them for social justice reasons .
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disturbance

an event or situation that interrupts or disrupts the normal state or functioning of something

Ex: The wildlife habitat suffered a disturbance due to construction .
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conundrum
conundrum
[noun]

a problem or question that is confusing and needs a lot of skill or effort to solve or answer

Ex: She found herself in a conundrum when she had to choose between two equally appealing job offers .
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turmoil
turmoil
[noun]

a state of extreme disturbance that causes a lot of worry and uncertainty

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barrier
barrier
[noun]

an obstacle that separates people or hinders any progress or communication

Ex: Fear can be a psychological barrier to success .
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fault line

an area of vulnerability in a system, organization, or relationship that could lead to significant problems or breakdowns

Ex: The fault line in their marriage was their differing views on raising children .
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strain
strain
[noun]

a challenging situation or pressure that causes difficulty or tension

Ex: The strain of maintaining a high GPA while working part-time was exhausting .
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travail
travail
[noun]

hard or painful work

Ex: The company overcame financial travail through strategic restructuring and innovation .
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feat
feat
[noun]

an impressive or remarkable achievement or accomplishment, often requiring great skill or strength

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resilient
resilient
[Adjective]

able to recover quickly from difficult situations

Ex: Being resilient in the face of adversity , the team emerged stronger and more cohesive .
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persistent
persistent
[Adjective]

continuing to do something despite facing criticism or difficulties

Ex: The persistent entrepreneur faced numerous obstacles but never wavered in pursuit of her dream .
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cumbersome
cumbersome
[Adjective]

challenging to manage or move due to size, weight, or awkward shape

Ex: The cumbersome package barely fit through the doorway .
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unbearable
unbearable
[Adjective]

causing extreme discomfort or distress that is difficult to endure

Ex: The tension in the room was so thick that it felt almost unbearable.
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