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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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
However, the market couldn't get going because bond yields remain elevated and AI infrastructure stocks are struggling. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 Investors worldwide fret that tech firms’ revenues are struggling to keep up with the AI spending spree, which has added substantially to their debt piles, part of the reason some have pivoted to selling equity as Google also did in June. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
Getting the shots, the sets and the rhythm of the series has been the greatest challenge—the day-to-day struggle to achieve that level of quality and such a high standard. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 The biennale was established in 1994 to commemorate the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a deadly chapter in South Korea’s struggle against military rule, during which upwards of 2,300 South Korean civilians were estimated to have been killed. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 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
  • The Miami Dolphins stumbled through a lopsided preseason loss to the New York Giants, sustained a key injury and continued sorting through roster questions before the season opener.
    — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Most injuries occurred as residents were tossed from beds or stumbled in the dark; trains and airport links were briefly disrupted, a Tokyo water main burst, and hundreds lost power.
    — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of stumble
Verb
  • Perhaps that’s why the pair has striven to create fresh archetypes.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But a home that cannot absorb something deeply meaningful is striving for taste at the expense of inauthenticity.
    — Steven Weill, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of strive
Noun
  • Mayer had some early success with her jab, but Cameron increasingly took control as the fight progressed and landed the cleaner punches before hurting Mayer with a right hand in the eighth round.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Metchie was very much on the bubble of the 53-man roster, and he was outperformed by his peers, even if not by much in this rock-fight of a contest.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • The only intrigue at offensive line was the backup center battle between Hudson and Patrick.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Naturally, with three more Salt Lake City wives at the Alter Ego Party, Gizelle is ready to further investigate why Lisa is in a battle with her whole cast.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • Nattie challenged Jaida Parker to a submission match for Heatwave as their rivalry turned up a notch.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The handlers may represent rival schools, but those rivalries tend to stop at the kennel, pasture or habitat gate, especially when another mascot is sick, retiring or in need of support.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Verb
  • Thoroughly unimpressed by her suburban idyll, and evidently unmoved by her responsibilities as wife and mother, Denise labors in her basement on a novel whose protagonist wishes to forsake her family for a life in New York.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Royals starter Seth Lugo labored through 4 2/3 innings while allowing five runs.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of labor
Noun
  • Its architecture could contribute to future efforts involving inexpensive rockets produced in much larger quantities.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Poor Anton has been left out of the drama all day, an effort by Billie and Samir to prevent an already bad futzing from escalating to something severe, and that’s never where Anton likes to be.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has vented his fury at the BBC over its handling of his Strictly Come Dancing exit following a clash with Sherlock star Amanda Abbington.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Police special forces responded with flash grenades during the clashes, which officials said lasted until the early hours of Sunday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of clash

Browse Nearby Words

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 31 Aug. 2026.

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