struggled; struggling
ˈstrə-g(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition
struggling with the problem
2
: to proceed with difficulty or with great effort
struggled through the high grass
struggling to make a living
2
: a violent effort or exertion : an act of strongly motivated striving
a struggle to make ends meet
3
: tussle sense 1
during the struggle the gun went off
Examples of struggle in a Sentence
Verb
He has been struggling with the problem of how to keep good workers from leaving.
They struggled for the right to vote.
She struggled up the hill through the snow.
She struggled to lift the package by herself, but it was too heavy.
He struggled to get free of the wreckage.
He's been struggling in math class for most of the year.
The team has continued to struggle in recent weeks.
He was living as a struggling artist in the city.
Noun
the struggle for civil rights
There was a struggle for the gun.
There was no sign of a struggle.
It was a struggle getting out of bed this morning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 June 2025
Both struggling defenders were pulled at halftime, replaced with like-for-like alternatives (Reed Baker-Whiting and Jon Bell) who fared better in the second half.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
Burroughs allegedly then took off on foot and was apprehended following a brief foot chase and a struggle, Allard said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
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Verb
O’Neal’s involvement in the FTX litigation generated headlines when process servers representing the investors struggled to track down the 7-foot-1, 325-pound very recognizable former NBA star.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 June 2025
Both struggling defenders were pulled at halftime, replaced with like-for-like alternatives (Reed Baker-Whiting and Jon Bell) who fared better in the second half.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Noun
Consumers are putting values first — even at a time of economic struggle.
—Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
Burroughs allegedly then took off on foot and was apprehended following a brief foot chase and a struggle, Allard said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/struggle. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
struggle
2 of 2 noun1
: fight entry 2 sense 1a, contest
a power struggle
2
: a violent or strenuous effort or exertion
a struggle to make ends meet
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