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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 clash
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 battle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
her staunchest supporters in her struggle for the office
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggle
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Two more payments last year went to a cousin struggling to feed his family.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Noah White, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
In Indonesia, the Catalan elaborated on his internal struggles.
—Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Verb
Pediatrics has for years been enduring a workforce shortage—to the point where pediatrics training programs are struggling to fill slots.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Two more payments last year went to a cousin struggling to feed his family.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
The reason for his struggles — and many others’ — is hard to track, but expectations have changed for what a top-tier quarterback talent is supposed to be out of the gate.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
In Indonesia, the Catalan elaborated on his internal struggles.
—Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
Verb
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But there have been some career stumbles recently, a superhero disappointment in particular, that must have complicated Johnson’s conception of his remarkable career.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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Wallen then stumbles to his feet in the middle of the road, as rain pours down, with close-up images showing Wallen in tattered clothes and covered in scrapes and cuts.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Let it never be said that Taylor Alison Swift doesn’t strive to be amazing.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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This is especially true for the young Latine children and families who are striving to learn the local language and customs of a country that’s already waging war against them.—
Priscilla Blossom,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Congressional Democrats have not sought to change that, at least not in the current spending fight.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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The administration has also called out the arrest of Sortor, a 27-year-old conservative influencer, amid protests outside the ICE facility in Portland during what police characterized as a fight.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Blame Mercury’s clash with Chiron!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Previous attempts by activist flotillas to break the blockade have largely failed and sometimes sparked deadly clashes, including during the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla raid.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For Democrats, the battle marked a defining moment to demonstrate unity after earlier funding fights in which they were accused of caving to Republican demands.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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That was really the battle, less than the gut.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These women, many of whom worked in relative obscurity for all their lives, labored to redefine the rights and dignity of all people.—
Time,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
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Hammond labored 50 hours over a two week span to create her project.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Democratic nominee for mayor also gave a speech at an African Methodist church, an effort to bridge the gap with apprehensive Black voters.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
1 Oct. 2025
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The improved profitability came as Beijing intensified efforts to rein in excess supply and aggressive price wars that had hurt companies' bottom line.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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These issues are not unique to the WNBA, as its affiliate league, the NBA, has weathered refereeing controversies and skirmishes over player pay for years.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Each new development is underscored by a lingering discomfort about the racial dynamics of the skirmish and about Maja taking action where Nourou might have wanted to leave the whole thing be.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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