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
Hitting was a major concern last regular season for the Rangers, who got middling production in terms of home runs (18th) and RBIs (19th) and struggled to consistently get on base, ranking 26th in batting average and OBP.
—
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The facility has faced growing scrutiny from immigration lawyers and advocates, who say children there have struggled to access adequate medical care and education in an environment where lights remain on around the clock and officers stand guard.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Since Dickinson arrived, his five-on-five outscoring, in a small sample, has stood out on a team that has often struggled this year.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Only weeks after taking out her first cash advance, Jane struggled to sleep.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
In contrast, many low-income earners with few or no investments struggled to keep up as prices rose faster than their paychecks.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
The company, which won fans with perks like free WiFi, has struggled to keep up with higher-end carriers like United and Delta, while losing discount-seeking customers to Spirit and Frontier.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
The two struggled, and Heyward fired twice, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
The strike caused an intense fire at the hospital, with footage from local television showing rescue crews combing through the wreckage with flashlights late into the night as firefighters struggled to extinguish the blaze.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The facility has faced growing scrutiny from immigration lawyers and advocates, who say children there have struggled to access adequate medical care and education in an environment where lights remain on around the clock and officers stand guard.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Since Dickinson arrived, his five-on-five outscoring, in a small sample, has stood out on a team that has often struggled this year.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Only weeks after taking out her first cash advance, Jane struggled to sleep.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
In contrast, many low-income earners with few or no investments struggled to keep up as prices rose faster than their paychecks.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
The company, which won fans with perks like free WiFi, has struggled to keep up with higher-end carriers like United and Delta, while losing discount-seeking customers to Spirit and Frontier.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
The two struggled, and Heyward fired twice, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
The strike caused an intense fire at the hospital, with footage from local television showing rescue crews combing through the wreckage with flashlights late into the night as firefighters struggled to extinguish the blaze.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggled
Verb
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The Ticket The numbers favor Dallas It’s been a while since the Stars have stumbled against the Devils.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Mar. 2026
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Florida stumbled so badly that the Gators fired coach Billy Napier.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lamarck surely labored over these Romantic effusions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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Texas starter Dylan Volantis labored through a long first inning, but a pop-out to catcher Carson Tinney stranded two runners on base.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Abbott’s use of AL16 as a marketing tool worked.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Randolph and Sullivan had worked together in earlier assignments.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 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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The chief and others named tried to repress the report — and a judge initially sided with them — but it was eventually released nine months later.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Court documents allege that Elliott and two others tried similar schemes in Los Angeles.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggled. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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