Synonyms of struggled

struggled

verb

past tense of struggle

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

• stumbled
• floundered
• trudged
• shuffled
• blundered
• limped
• fumbled
• lurched
• plodded
• faltered
• jogged
• lumbered
• swayed
• flogged
• bumbled
• staggered
• reeled
• shambled
• wallowed
• tottered
• muddled
• weltered
• teetered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sailed
• flew
• glided
• coasted
• zoomed
• zipped
• kilted

2

as in labored

to devote serious and sustained effort

the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• labored
• worked
• endeavored
• tried
• toiled
• tugged
• strove
• hustled
• plowed
• dug (away)
• slaved
• sweat
• humped
• strained
• plodded
• slogged
• grubbed
• travailed
• pegged (away)
• fagged
• plugged
• drudged
• banged away
• moiled
• attacked
• sweat blood
• essayed
• applied (oneself)
• dug in
• exerted
• scratched
• drove
• pitched in
• buckled (down)
• exercised
• beavered (away)
• hammered (away)
• waded
• eked out
• trudged
• scrabbled
• overworked
• knuckled down
• overexerted
• ground (out)
• put out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• broke
• slackened
• eased (up)
• let up
• chilled
• shirked
• bummed
• rested
• idled
• lounged
• hung (around or out)
• relaxed
• dallied
• lazed
• loafed
• slacked (off)
• played
• goofed (off)
• basked
• hacked (around)
• reposed
• hung
• dabbled
• unwound
• lolled
• dillydallied
• goldbricked
• footled
• trifled
• vegged out
• fooled around
• doodled
• messed around
• hung about
• puttered (around)
• goofed (around)
• pottered (around)
• monkeyed (around)
• fribbled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of struggled

Kyrgios underwent a full wrist reconstruction in September 2023, after suffering a full rupture of a key ligament that stabilizes the joint, and has struggled to generate any kind of momentum since. — James Hansen, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Firefighters struggled to reach people trapped on the upper floors as thick smoke engulfed the building, a police officer told the news agency. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Following his speech, council members struggled to restore order as some of Lang's supporters began shouting, and one was escorted out by police. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Teri also struggled with alcoholism, which Brooke has said further complicated their relationship, especially with her mother's dual roles as a mother and manager. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Belton struggled early, though, was replaced by Jacob Monk and the competition seems largely settled. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

The defense, however, struggled a season ago and looks much the same. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Liberty has also struggled to keep head coaches and maintain numbers. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026

Whisenhunt had struggled in his last three starts leading up to Tuesday, allowing 14 earned runs and walking nine batters over his last 11 2/3 innings. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026