struggle 1 of 2

verb

ˈstrə-gəl How to pronounce struggle (audio)
Definition of strugglenext
1
as in to stumble
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually each week I would struggle through my piano lesson, keenly aware that I wasn't getting any better

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to strive
to devote serious and sustained effort the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet

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struggle

2 of 2

noun

1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective a performer's long struggle to achieve success

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2
as in battle
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups there was a struggle between the armed robber and the shopkeeper, and the gun went off

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3
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another her staunchest supporters in her struggle for the office

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of struggle
Verb
Portugal, meanwhile, have struggled to secure wins in this tournament. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026 In 1969, at the height of the Vietnam War, a struggling Texas prep school on the brink of closure turns to the tough-as-nails Marine to restore order among its rebellious students. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Noun
As with their game against Ghana, this wasn’t easy going for England, who initially had their struggles breaking Panama down. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Lusane uses the White House as a prism through which to view African American history and civil rights struggle. — Melia Patria, ABC News, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
  1. stumble
  2. strive
  3. fight
  4. battle
  5. rivalry
  6. labor
  7. effort
  8. clash
Verb
  • After a chance meeting saving the life of a reporter, Dez stumbles across a vast conspiracy and now must stop the forces intent on keeping their secrets safe.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 July 2026
  • The hole was discovered in early April when a volunteer on a weekend cemetery clean-up day stumbled upon it.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
Definition of stumble
Verb
  • The decision could impact midterm election outcomes, as Republicans strive to defend a thin majority in the Senate.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 8 July 2026
  • The energy, the competitiveness and the daily consistency to strive to be a little bit better each and every day.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2026
Definition of strive
Noun
  • Instead of promoting their efforts, Republican lawmakers were left scrambling when the president abruptly withdrew his support over a separate political fight.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Away from fight sports, this past month has seen three players competing at the men’s World Cup who are facing active investigations or have been charged with rape.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • The TikTok edits, the outfit identification threads, the contestant rivalries trending on X by the end of an episode, all of it turns 60 minutes of passive viewing into a multi-platform conversation that runs all week.
    — Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Rattín’s defiant gesture at Wembley also marked the beginning of the football rivalry between Argentina and England.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of rivalry
Verb
  • But others are still at work, laboring under a new collective bargaining agreement with another labor organization, the International Longshoremen’s Association.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The infant had been trapped for almost three days; a team of rescuers from Fairfax, Virginia, had been laboring to reach the boy, who was nine months old, for at least six hours.
    — Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
Definition of labor
Noun
  • Bellingham deserves a mention, too; his tireless running in-behind defences has created space for Kane all through the tournament, while his colossal defensive efforts have helped to maintain balance across the team.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • The organization is a main backer of the measure and has supported efforts in other states to prohibit individualized prices for people based on certain personal information.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • With Brazil’s upcoming clash with Norway providing another physical challenge in the blistering New Jersey heat, is Casemiro a help or hindrance to his team?
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Your 3rd House of Communication tightens as the vibrant Sun activates it and clashes with restrictive Saturn in your 12th House of Solitude.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
Definition of clash

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structuring
struggle
struggled
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Cite this Entry

“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of struggle for Spanish Speakers

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