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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of struggled
The Bears offense struggled under coordinator Shane Waldron, so he was fired.
—
Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
When Barbra Streisand struggled with the replacement orchestrations during a recording session, the conductor had Cullen’s original scores on hand.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The Celtics simply struggled to get around Maxey and Jayson Tatum couldn’t bully him.
—Jared Weiss, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
In contrast, human groups struggled to improve their performance.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2024
Aid groups have struggled to deliver food and supplies and say there are shortages of blankets, warm clothing and firewood.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Danny Ings has also struggled for game time since Lopetegui’s arrival as head coach.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
This year's shorter holiday shopping period placed pressure on some retailers, some of which also struggled to attract inflation-weary consumers through their doors.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2024
Healthcare professionals have long struggled with abuse, often exacerbated by patient frustrations over long wait times and systemic inefficiencies.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
When Barbra Streisand struggled with the replacement orchestrations during a recording session, the conductor had Cullen’s original scores on hand.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The Celtics simply struggled to get around Maxey and Jayson Tatum couldn’t bully him.
—Jared Weiss, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
In contrast, human groups struggled to improve their performance.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2024
Aid groups have struggled to deliver food and supplies and say there are shortages of blankets, warm clothing and firewood.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Danny Ings has also struggled for game time since Lopetegui’s arrival as head coach.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
This year's shorter holiday shopping period placed pressure on some retailers, some of which also struggled to attract inflation-weary consumers through their doors.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2024
Healthcare professionals have long struggled with abuse, often exacerbated by patient frustrations over long wait times and systemic inefficiencies.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggled
Verb
-
But then again, just about every orchestra was better off for having worked with Ozawa, whose performances melded gloss and ruddy viscerality.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Older Americans — who’ve worked hard all our lives — shouldn’t be pushed out onto the streets, forced to go without sufficient food or health care due to unfortunate circumstances.—
Sherlea Dony,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
As anybody who has tried to use a chatbot to answer a customer service query knows, AI is still some way off being as effective as a good call centre person.—
Roger Trapp,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
In the past, Medina said, the two tried their hand at creating a viral moment with a fake Instagram video of Jones getting a suggestive face tattoo.—
Amanda Rosa,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Struggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggled. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share