1
as in to stumble
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to strive
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
a performer's long struggle to achieve success
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2
as in battle
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
there was a struggle between the armed robber and the shopkeeper, and the gun went off
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
her staunchest supporters in her struggle for the office
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggle
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Detroit has struggled in this series not only with turnovers but with finding scoring options beyond Cunningham and Harris.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 May 2026
No coincidence that the Dodgers’ struggles are coinciding with a four-game hitless streak for Shohei Ohtani, his first such drought since 2022.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Verb
Mendoza’s job has been in question for weeks now as the team struggled since the start of the season.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Detroit has struggled in this series not only with turnovers but with finding scoring options beyond Cunningham and Harris.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Holly Winterburn led the Dream with 12 points, while Madina Okot added nine points and six rebounds despite her turnover struggles.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 May 2026
No coincidence that the Dodgers’ struggles are coinciding with a four-game hitless streak for Shohei Ohtani, his first such drought since 2022.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
Verb
-
As Laugier’s story continues, the man wanders through a forest, stumbles upon fallen branches, and has an epiphany.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
Mazzulla, who’s trumpeted the Celtics depth at every turn this season, shouldn’t hesitate to use it if his starters stumble on Saturday.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Newer companies, such as Firefly Aerospace, Stoke Space and Relativity Space, are also striving to rise to the competition.—
Ramin Skibba,
Scientific American,
4 May 2026
-
As Miranda faces public outcry and the pressures of a downturning publishing industry, Andy once again strives for her approval amid her steadfast pursuit of rigorous journalism.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The fight, though, kept getting delayed.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
While Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first Black president and a global icon – having spent 27 years in jail for his role in the fight against apartheid – his wife Winnie, who was arguably just as instrumental in that fight, has been widely maligned.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Voters will probably be bombarded with political ads and arguments from opposing sides as the battle intensifies.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Koh-i-Noor then spent 70 years in Afghanistan, where it was passed around by leaders who won bloody battles against one another.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Westin was the dominant force in Friday’s crosstown rivalry game.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Nilan and Miller spent a lot of those minutes punching each other, Nilan as a Canadien and Miller as a Bruin, during the 1980s iteration of the ancient rivalry.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
Verb
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OpenAI’s attorneys painted Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman as humble startup founders who labored to build OpenAI while Musk was largely absent.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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For the rest of us, the construction kickoff means delay upon delay as streets, avenues and roads are awash with heavy equipment and construction workers laboring with jackhammers, picks and shovels.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The effort will focus on solutions that can be adapted elsewhere in the world, such as sustainable finance, digital innovation and workforce development.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In some cases, the panel couldn’t even identify ICE or Border Patrol agents involved in high-profile clashes.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The group of cyclists, who fell after the clash, collided into the side of the SUV and fell onto the pavement.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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