Synonyms of struggle

struggle 1 of 2

verb

ˈstrə-gəl 

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

• stumble
• trudge
• limp
• blunder
• flounder
• shuffle
• jog
• fumble
• plod
• falter
• lurch
• sway
• lumber
• flog
• reel
• bumble
• wallow
• stagger
• shamble
• muddle
• totter
• welter
• teeter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• coast
• fly
• sail
• glide
• zoom
• zip
• kilt

2

as in to strive

to devote serious and sustained effort

the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strive
• labor
• work
• endeavor
• try
• toil
• slave
• tug
• sweat
• hustle
• plow
• dig (away)
• strain
• travail
• plod
• bang away
• hump
• slog
• plug
• beaver (away)
• drudge
• apply (oneself)
• peg (away)
• grub
• sweat blood
• moil
• attack
• fag
• buckle (down)
• exercise
• exert
• essay
• drive
• eke out
• pitch in
• dig in
• scratch
• hammer (away)
• grind (out)
• wade
• overwork
• knuckle down
• trudge
• put out
• overexert
• scrabble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break
• ease (up)
• slacken
• let up
• hang (around or out)
• shirk
• rest
• lounge
• bum
• goof (off)
• relax
• chill
• slack (off)
• idle
• unwind
• hack (around)
• play
• loaf
• laze
• hang
• bask
• repose
• veg out
• dabble
• fool around
• loll
• dillydally
• footle
• trifle
• goof (around)
• mess around
• hang about
• dally
• goldbrick
• doodle
• monkey (around)
• putter (around)
• potter (around)
• fribble

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fight
• battle
• effort
• fray
• throes
• attempt
• scrabble
• work
• try
• pains
• grind
• endeavor
• trouble
• toil
• exertion
• war
• drudgery
• strife
• labor
• conflict
• warfare
• combat
• tussle
• travail
• contest
• sweat
• essay

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fight
• battle
• clash
• skirmish
• tussle
• conflict
• scuffle
• fray
• contest
• combat
• brawl
• confrontation
• scrimmage
• duel
• dustup
• altercation
• fracas
• scrap
• hassle
• scrum
• pitched battle
• quarrel
• dispute
• battle royal
• blows
• rough-and-tumble
• spat
• tangle
• melee
• squabble
• wrangle
• mix-up
• fistfight
• controversy
• row
• grapple
• slugfest
• broil
• affray
• ruckus
• fisticuffs
• joust
• misunderstanding
• face-off
• free-for-all
• donnybrook
• falling-out
• punch-up
• punch-out
• disagreement
• cross fire
• argument
• ruction
• tiff
• catfight
• kickup
• contretemps
• handgrips
• argle-bargle
• argy-bargy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truce

3

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another

her staunchest supporters in her struggle for the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• battle
• rivalry
• competition
• conflict
• duel
• confrontation
• warfare
• war
• contention
• match
• strife
• contest
• combat
• clash
• tug-of-war
• ball game
• showdown
• grapple
• dogfight
• sweepstakes
• face-off
• debate
• dispute
• friction
• horse race
• disputation
• quarrel
• collision
• argument
• controversy
• discord
• disagreement
• nail-biter
• wrangle
• dissension
• row

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• harmony
• concord

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of struggle

Verb

But with high-yield corporate bonds struggling, Wolfe Research technical strategist Rob Ginsberg thinks stock investors should be on the lookout. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 27 July 2026

Perry ran into the room and struggled for the gun with the victim. — Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Noun

Many struggle with guilt, turn to alcohol or drugs, have trouble sleeping or move often. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 25 July 2026

At the time of the September 2024 shooting, Marcee Gray did not have custody of Colt due to her struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 24 July 2026