1
as in strives
to devote serious and sustained effort
plodded night and day to get the assignment done
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stumbles
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
oxen plodding through deep mud
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in shuffles
to move heavily or clumsily
wayfarers plodding across the sandy wastes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plods
Verb
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Over one intense day, the devoted head teacher (Cillian Murphy) of a last-chance reform school strives to keep his students in line while facing pressures of his own.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
27 Sep. 2025 -
Advertisement Protecting children and demanding decent pay and conditions must be a priority as the world strives to meet its clean energy goals.—
Xanthe Scharff,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But there have been some career stumbles recently, a superhero disappointment in particular, that must have complicated Johnson’s conception of his remarkable career.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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Wallen then stumbles to his feet in the middle of the road, as rain pours down, with close-up images showing Wallen in tattered clothes and covered in scrapes and cuts.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If the shutdown drags on for more than a few days, a report on inflation scheduled for mid-October could also be delayed.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
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In a letter to agencies last week, the budget office instructed them to prepare for possible layoffs if the impasse drags on.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gakpo is deeper, and Wirtz pushes forward as the central member of Liverpool’s forward line, while Ekitike shuffles across as the left of the trio.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Because global air travel shuffles millions of people around the world daily, an outbreak of a very contagious disease anywhere can become a threat everywhere.—
Amy E. Stambach,
The Conversation,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Bo was a source of comfort to many children in Nashville, especially as Tennessee struggles with growing mental health issues, according to Mental Health America, a nonprofit group that promotes mental health and mental illness prevention.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 Sep. 2025
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Defense struggles with big deficit The Panthers’ defense sat on the sideline for most of the first quarter, as a punt return touchdown by the Patriots was sandwiched between offensive series for the Panthers.—
Mike Kaye
September 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the decade trudges on, Brian becomes more serious about his work, never losing his soft spot for Margaret but otherwise gaining a sterling reputation as a hard-hitting interview.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
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During interviews for an in-depth Fortune story on KDP published in June, Cofer detailed his strategy for expanding margins and achieving high growth in soft drinks, a field that overall just trudges forward.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Arisu crawls onto a mound of rubble for momentary relief, and is met with an angry Banda.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
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Gameplay begins as the player crawls from the wreckage.—
G Kirilloff,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bonnie stomps off in anger, but the Guinness boys are confident that things will work out.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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The guy just f****** stomps right on my face.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Plods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plods. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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