STRUGGLE Synonyms: 208 Similar and Opposite Words

struggle 1 of 2

verb

ˈstrə-gəl

Definition of struggle

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

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

as in fight

a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective a performer's long struggle to achieve success

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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

truce

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

The ever-growing list has left even American corporate giants like Ford struggling to keep up. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026 North Carolina also struggled to get anything going on the ground (77 yards on 23 carries). — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Noun

What’s Happening Between 10% and 30% of adults have insomnia, according to the National Sleep Foundation, and many more struggle through the occasional bad night. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Student protests over underfunding in education continue to rock France, as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu faces a struggle to pass a contentious 2027 budget that seeks to impose tens of billions of dollars' worth of fiscal consolidation. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for struggle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle

Verb

Almost sounds silly now, with the way the team has stumbled and bumbled its way through the first four games.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Of the seven clubs that had 14 or more players from their organizations appear in the WBC, several stumbled early and only the Phillies and Brewers made the postseason.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumble

Noun

In July, the music artist and producer spent some solo time after getting into a prison fight, sources told TMZ and NBC News.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence, Smithsonian leaders are turning to AI to better understand items in its collection tied to the fight that led to the country’s founding.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

Chinese media reported that PLA forces deployed Type 99A main battle tanks alongside drones, uncrewed ground vehicles and helicopters.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Alabama and Mississippi State battle, and Underdog is offering new users a chance to use promo code FOXNEWS to earn up to $100 in bonus bets on a $5 wager.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

And allowing the top seeds to select their opponents in the first two rounds would create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries and create new ones.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Better still, they could’ve been forced to navigate a professional rivalry if, say, Roy is expected to support Chelsea’s women’s club.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

Jaylen Wright labored all week, fighting his way back from a foot injury that sidelined him the previous game.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
With the Dodgers’ lead cut to one run, Skubal labored through the rest of the sixth inning, issuing a pair of walks, his first of the game.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of labor

Noun

The discovery is a huge victory for conservation efforts across the Indian Ocean.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
In yet another battle between the states and social media platforms, Florida asked a state judge to order changes on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to protect young users.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of effort

Noun

After spending some time playing in a (very cool) makeshift stadium on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Northwestern Wildcats finally christened the new Ryan Field in an important Big Ten clash with Penn State.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
The Buffs and the Blue Raiders are undefeated in district play and will face off in a high-stakes Week 7 clash.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of clash

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structuring

struggle

struggled

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Style

“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of struggle

verb

noun

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