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

The Chiefs struggled in short-yard situations in the first quarter, which could have been a coincidence. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

Willis also struggled, completing only nine passes for 85 yards. — Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

The Jets acquired Fitzpatrick, 29, in a trade with the rival Dolphins to fortify a safety room that has struggled through several seasons of instability. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Ground and pound While the Tigers’ rushing attack struggled, the Hurricanes turned to the running backs to ice the game. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2026

One mistake, one missed opportunity, one penalty after another brought them to this point, despite the fact that the Huskies actually struggled to move the ball against USC’s defense. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Staying private also has advantages, particularly as restaurant stocks have broadly struggled this year. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

North Carolina also struggled to get anything going on the ground (77 yards on 23 carries). — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Bryce Young has struggled against man-to-man defenses, completing just over 40 percent of his passes this year against that scheme, and Cleveland has played man on about half of its defensive snaps this year. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2026