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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggled
In recent years, some Wyandotte residents have tried to get the government to delay or cancel its tax sales, which usually happen twice a year, to prevent people who have struggled to pay sky-rocketing property tax bills from losing their family homes.
—
Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
Colandrea and the Rebels should be able to move the ball against a Boise D that has struggled to get stops, dating all the way back to its season-opening loss to South Florida.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
While so many arts institutions have struggled to survive, her academy continues to thrive and pour into young dancers year after year.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 Oct. 2025
Still, between a four-game victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in an NL Division Series and this NLCS, Ohtani has struggled.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Maybe not the Frozen actress, who struggled to remember her and her When in Rome costar's anniversary during a red-carpet interview for Nobody Wants This season 2 on Thursday.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
The Bobcats had struggled to contain the Wildcats’ speed for the majority of the game.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
Larin struggled to get into any kind of decisive attacking positions against Australia.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Backup Jake Browning struggled when he was thrust into the starting role.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
Colandrea and the Rebels should be able to move the ball against a Boise D that has struggled to get stops, dating all the way back to its season-opening loss to South Florida.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
While so many arts institutions have struggled to survive, her academy continues to thrive and pour into young dancers year after year.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 Oct. 2025
Still, between a four-game victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in an NL Division Series and this NLCS, Ohtani has struggled.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Maybe not the Frozen actress, who struggled to remember her and her When in Rome costar's anniversary during a red-carpet interview for Nobody Wants This season 2 on Thursday.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
The Bobcats had struggled to contain the Wildcats’ speed for the majority of the game.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
Larin struggled to get into any kind of decisive attacking positions against Australia.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Backup Jake Browning struggled when he was thrust into the starting role.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggled
Verb
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Earlier this year a gamer in Ohio stumbled on a collector’s edition of Starfield for just $75.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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According to witnesses, Owens stumbled from the porch and yelled for someone to call 911 before collapsing.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At 41 weeks, she was induced and labored for hours before doctors determined an emergency C-section was necessary.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
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Already labored by national debt levels around double the European target, in September the French economy was downgraded by credit ratings agency Fitch.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Neither of us had ever worked on a posthumous collection before.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
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Marshak, who went on to become a talent agent, worked with DiCaprio early in each of their careers.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In recent years, some Wyandotte residents have tried to get the government to delay or cancel its tax sales, which usually happen twice a year, to prevent people who have struggled to pay sky-rocketing property tax bills from losing their family homes.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
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Senate Democrats, joined by two Republicans, tried unsuccessfully last week to pass a resolution to stop the strikes, saying Trump is illegally using military force without lawmakers' permission.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Struggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggled. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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