1
as in stumbled
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in labored
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of struggled
Alcantara struggled in his World Baseball Classic debut three years ago for his native Dominican Republic, which didn’t advance out of pool play that year.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
The 30-year-old offensive tackle — who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2019 season — was brought to Charlotte in 2024 as a reserve option at tackle for the Panthers, who were interested in bolstering an offensive line that struggled mightily the year before.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Her parents, who eventually became citizens, struggled at first to pay for formula and diapers.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Engineers have long struggled to efficiently transmit that light into the outside world.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
Africa's most populous country has long struggled to contain the jihadi violence in its northeast.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
The odds are so lopsided that the GOP has struggled to field candidates.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Against a Longhorns lineup with some of the strongest hitters in the country, the Bobcats struggled to hit their spots consistently.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
That concern has been one of the reasons why Broadcom's stock has struggled to gain traction this year.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
The 30-year-old offensive tackle — who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2019 season — was brought to Charlotte in 2024 as a reserve option at tackle for the Panthers, who were interested in bolstering an offensive line that struggled mightily the year before.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Her parents, who eventually became citizens, struggled at first to pay for formula and diapers.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Engineers have long struggled to efficiently transmit that light into the outside world.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
Africa's most populous country has long struggled to contain the jihadi violence in its northeast.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
The odds are so lopsided that the GOP has struggled to field candidates.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Against a Longhorns lineup with some of the strongest hitters in the country, the Bobcats struggled to hit their spots consistently.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
That concern has been one of the reasons why Broadcom's stock has struggled to gain traction this year.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggled
Verb
-
In Season 1, the publication of Lee’s latest exposé – a deep dive into the powerful Washberg family – is immediately followed by the suspicious suicide of Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson), and Lee knows he’s stumbled onto something big.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
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But the Illini stumbled by losing four of six after that before winning their final two against bottom-dwellers Oregon and Maryland.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lakshmi even labored over the shape of the studio, citing studies that conclude rounded shapes facilitate focus and creativity.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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Many states in recent years have labored to pass sports betting laws, tapping massive tax revenues from wagers to balance their budgets.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sheri Penzari, who has worked for United, Delta, and the now-defunct Eastern Air Lines, also recommends dual-purpose dressing.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Hawks worked the ball up court and got it to Webb who fake a drive to make some space and then drilled a three with 10 seconds left to retake the lead.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Along the way, Pollan endeavored to find answers to some of the most fundamental questions of existence, like why is there a subjective self at all?—
Nick Hilden,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2026
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One month later, Turning Point’s flagship conference descended into recriminations over the very controversies and conspiracies that its founder had endeavored so assiduously to suppress.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Spurs have tried to sign a fair few high-profile players over the last 12 months, including Eberechi Eze, Antoine Semenyo and Morgan Gibbs-White, but missing out on Andy Robertson in the January transfer window has proven as costly as any other.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Marcus Figueroa ran to his bedroom closet and tried to call police.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggled. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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