A head-on conflict or direct competition.
Characterized by head-to-head competition or conflict.
in close confrontation
Strife, contention, great effort.
A contortion of the body in an attempt to escape or to perform a difficult task.
To strive, to labour in difficulty, to fight (for or against), to contend.
To strive, or to make efforts, with a twisting, or with contortions of the body.