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

Miller has alleged his ex-wife has struggled with mental health challenges and is accusing her of making the claims against him to aid in a custody battle for their two-year-old daughter. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Both Alum Rock and Berryessa union school districts, which house Kidango early learning campuses, have struggled with declining enrollment. — Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

The Idaho Transportation Department, whose Division of Motor Vehicles is tasked with registering the e-motorcycles and issuing driver’s licenses, has struggled to provide clear statewide guidance on what riders need to do to follow the law. — Rose Evans august 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026

Alec Regula, who struggled over 29 games with Edmonton last season, recovered his game after a midseason demotion to the AHL Bakersfield Condors. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

The 17 passengers and crew who lived told investigators everyone survived the landing, but many passengers struggled to locate life vests and the crew had a difficult time pulling out life rafts. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

That measure led to development of three hotels, including the Moxy and Goodtime, which Suarez said have struggled. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Day to day, as the city grows, there’s also the question of traffic, which snarls the city as public transit initiatives have repeatedly struggled. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Mills has struggled with fundraising for his reelection bid this cycle, ending the second quarter with just $81,000 in the bank. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2026