苦慮(くりょ)

くりょ
noun
agonizing over; painstaking consideration
formalemotion
1. agonizing over; being at a loss; painstaking consideration
The state of worrying deeply about a difficult problem or being troubled by a situation that is hard to resolve.
対応(たいおう)に苦慮(くりょ)している。
We are agonizing over how to respond.
政府(せいふ)は少子化(しょうしか)対策(たいさく)に苦慮(くりょ)している。
The government is struggling with measures to address the declining birthrate.
経営陣(けいえいじん)は赤字(あかじ)部門(ぶもん)の処遇(しょぐう)について苦慮(くりょ)を重(かさ)ねた末(すえ)、撤退(てったい)を決(き)めた。
After much deliberation over the unprofitable division, the management decided to withdraw.

Composed of 苦(く) (suffering) + 慮(りょ) (thinking, consideration). A formal word often used in news, business, and political contexts to describe leaders or organizations struggling with difficult decisions. The verb form 苦慮(くりょ)する is very common.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 悩(なや)む: to worry; to be troubled — more everyday and personal
  • 懸念(けねん): concern; apprehension — focuses on worry about a future outcome
  • 思案(しあん): deliberation; pondering — more neutral, without the implication of suffering

Related Words

Compare: 悩(なや)む (to worry)
Compare: 懸念(けねん) (concern)
Compare: 思案(しあん) (deliberation)
general
Added 2026.4.1 6:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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