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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Tara Donaldson, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The show struggles to illuminate the relationships between the characters or anything at all about Benton, from what his job actually is to even a flicker of a personality.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
David Goodhue
march 9, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
And to do so without compromising one’s values and intellectual or emotional capacities, Austen suggests, is—for single women and, in some cases, for single men—a real and persistent struggle.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Verb
As conflict destabilizes parts of the Middle East, the ripple effects are already reaching the region’s luxury economy, which has become a promising growth engine for a struggling global sector.
—Tara Donaldson, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The show struggles to illuminate the relationships between the characters or anything at all about Benton, from what his job actually is to even a flicker of a personality.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
After a short struggle, Delgado backed away from Broom, pulled his gun from his holster and ordered her to drop the knife, according to the report.
—David Goodhue
march 9, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
And to do so without compromising one’s values and intellectual or emotional capacities, Austen suggests, is—for single women and, in some cases, for single men—a real and persistent struggle.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
Verb
-
The movie follows Rick Power (Rudd), a wedding band singer who stumbles into a late-night jam session with former boy band star Danny (Jonas) and reignites his passion for songwriting.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Just a nibble on a leaf or petal can lead to rapid kidney damage with loss of appetite, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy and sometimes neurological signs such as stumbling, tremors and seizures.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a world of jaded billionaires, psychiatrist-gurus, bio-hacked tech bros, AI labs and disillusioned teens being optimized in elite private schools, an audacious data-mining CEO (Magnussen) strives to turn insight and influence into profit and power.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And while striving for excellence is admirable, ballet’s obsession with excellence can make for a less-than-welcoming environment for those who just want to do it for fun.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in this fight, the Americans are the only ones who use Tomahawks, and the evidence is pointing toward that specific missile.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
In one episode, the crew of the Red Dwarf visits an Earth on which time moves backwards, culminating in a slapstick reverse Wild West-style bar fight that sees teeth reappear in mouths, windows reassemble, and chairs unbreak over heads.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The war inside The game was ultimately decided by the battle inside the paint as TCU’s frontline of Punch and junior center Xavier Edmonds scrapped and clawed with Kansas’ talented big men Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
He was involved in multiple relegation battles and believes having the right mindset is key.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Baseball’s richest rivalry still draws national fascination.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Despite long-standing rivalries among senior Iranian politicians — many of whom hold powerful political positions and control significant economic resources — these factions quickly set aside their differences and pledged loyalty to him.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Irish workers also labored in rail yards and mines in the area.—
Paula Kane,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
-
My fascination extended to gardeners, who voluntarily labored to create something with no hope of permanence.—
Amy Waldman,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The addition of Crosby was supposed to be the piece to help lift the Ravens over the top, with the draft picks expected to be part of a rebuilding effort for the Raiders.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In an effort to allay whipsawing energy markets, Western powers are considering an International Energy Agency proposal for the largest-ever release of oil reserves.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The cross-border clashes, which erupted late last month, have shown no signs of abating despite efforts by China and Turkey to broker a ceasefire.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Defense was absent from the Nuggets’ game plan early in this clash, though, and Murray Supreme was nowhere to be seen.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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