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
For years, the LAPD struggled to clear a decades-old backlog of untested rape kits that at one point ballooned in number to more than 6,100.
—
Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Kilmer, who died from throat cancer at 65, signed on to the project, but struggled with health issues once production began.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
In 2024, the United Way reported that more than 44% of Central Florida households, while living above the poverty line, struggled to cover all their basic expenses, from childcare to transportation.
—Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
While the service initially struggled with a lack of volume because of the Great Depression, UPS continued growing, moving its services to the east coast in 1930.
—Olivia Evans, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
As shoppers stayed home, some booth owners struggled to keep up with the rent, Hernandez said.
—Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026
The school, which was founded in 1965, has struggled for several years.
—Leah Willingham, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Shares in the company, which have struggled over the past year, shot up by more than 500%.
—Bruna Horvath, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Lawrence lauded Segel for his work in the final two episodes of Season 3 as his character struggled with sending his daughter to school and being home, all alone, while also feeling abandoned by his father figure Paul.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Kilmer, who died from throat cancer at 65, signed on to the project, but struggled with health issues once production began.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
In 2024, the United Way reported that more than 44% of Central Florida households, while living above the poverty line, struggled to cover all their basic expenses, from childcare to transportation.
—Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
While the service initially struggled with a lack of volume because of the Great Depression, UPS continued growing, moving its services to the east coast in 1930.
—Olivia Evans, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
As shoppers stayed home, some booth owners struggled to keep up with the rent, Hernandez said.
—Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026
The school, which was founded in 1965, has struggled for several years.
—Leah Willingham, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Shares in the company, which have struggled over the past year, shot up by more than 500%.
—Bruna Horvath, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Lawrence lauded Segel for his work in the final two episodes of Season 3 as his character struggled with sending his daughter to school and being home, all alone, while also feeling abandoned by his father figure Paul.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggled
Verb
-
But as Adebayo stumbled to regain his balance, Ball reached out and pulled on Adebayo’s leg.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Adebayo stumbled but did not fall.—
Steve Reed,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In many years on dairy farms, the worker often labored for 10 hours with no breaks.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Lamarck surely labored over these Romantic effusions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sharing the ball helps fuel Magic winning streak The Magic got the win over the Bulls by sticking to what’s worked best during Orlando’s five-game winning streak.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The system worked properly to prevent tripping of additional breakers.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson for months endeavored to appoint his ally ex-Ald.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Both sides have tried and failed to advance their partisan priorities the last few months.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
DePaul, which finished 16-16 and 8-12 in the Big East, must replace multiple seniors who tried to help coach Chris Holtmann turn the program around, including guard CJ Gunn and forward NJ Benson.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggled. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
