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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to strive
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
a performer's long struggle to achieve success
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggle
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
On defense, because of the impending release of Bradley Chubb, the Dolphins would only have Chop Robinson, who struggled last season, as the lone experienced pass rusher under contract.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
Evans enjoyed ample print and runway work, but not without struggle.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Verb
Bryant, who turned 34 last month, continues struggling with a degenerative back condition that makes everyday life painful and is threatening to end his career.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
On defense, because of the impending release of Bradley Chubb, the Dolphins would only have Chop Robinson, who struggled last season, as the lone experienced pass rusher under contract.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
Interestingly, Gerima also noted that his struggles with the archive were not only philosophical but physical.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
Evans enjoyed ample print and runway work, but not without struggle.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
Verb
-
The scientists who stumbled on the rare recording are eager to use it for science.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Workers stumble upon historic burial site and 'incredibly rare' find during sewer project.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This year’s cohort of activists, while quieter than in the past as a result of the ongoing hostilities, is striving to amplify the voices suppressed and introduce emerging artists to a wider audience.—
Tina Ahmadi Krol,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Bureau strives to complete all 311 requests within five days.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The couple joined the fight and decided a baby would have to wait.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Cannon, the man who coined the phrase fight or flight, measured various ways in which the nervous system will reroute to cope with an emergency.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Britain had split the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before that colony gained independence, something that has been a source of diplomatic friction as well as multiple legal battles with locals who were evicted.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Arsenal is challenging for the titl while Tottenham — under new coach Igor Tudor — is in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Camden, who came to Cal as a transfer from Delaware, knew enough about the rivalry to get things right, almost.—
Jeff Faraudo,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Texas State's focus remains on the present, but Friday night, fans saw the seeds of a conference rivalry being sewn.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Since then, Budig has labored tirelessly to stoke enthusiasm for Summers’ book among her Inky Phoenix community members.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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When the novel opens in Florence, in 1557, the body of the painter Jacopo da Pontormo lies in the chapel of San Lorenzo—in front of the frescoes he’d labored over for a decade, with a painter’s chisel stuck in his heart.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Eco effort To cover all of Inkaterra's eco initiatives would require another article entirely.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Kate Schneider’s hat trick with two goals led a well-balanced effort as Walpole used to down Ursuline 8-4.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit earlier this month following the Bondi attack sparked protests at major Australian cities, including clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators with the police outside Sydney Town Hall.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Hamilton reframed verbal clashes among the Founding Fathers as rap battles.—
Talya Zax,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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