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 clash
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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3
as in battle
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
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Part of what made Obama such an extraordinary force in the Democratic Party was his support among Black voters, which Buttigieg really struggles with.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Annie Polland, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Despite the criticism, economic struggle, and internet restrictions artists face back home, reparto has been gaining international traction.
—Ana González Vilá, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Verb
Many people struggle to keep their health details organized, especially when doctor visits pile up.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Part of what made Obama such an extraordinary force in the Democratic Party was his support among Black voters, which Buttigieg really struggles with.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
Teachers intuited the connection between struggles and progress in families, and within history, and felt that the teaching of a complex history, one that did not sugarcoat the struggles, would build a more resilient classroom, community, and country.
—Annie Polland, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Despite the criticism, economic struggle, and internet restrictions artists face back home, reparto has been gaining international traction.
—Ana González Vilá, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
Verb
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But there have been some career stumbles recently, a superhero disappointment in particular, that must have complicated Johnson’s conception of his remarkable career.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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Wallen then stumbles to his feet in the middle of the road, as rain pours down, with close-up images showing Wallen in tattered clothes and covered in scrapes and cuts.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When Volume One of the forecast was released for 2024, the paint brand strived to frame its collection as objectively as possible.—
Tim Nelson,
Architectural Digest,
24 Sep. 2025
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The true story of Spain’s cricket team striving to qualify for the Olympics, uniting diverse communities through a sport largely unknown in Spain.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An investigation is underway into the incident, and investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the fight, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
27 Sep. 2025
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Her presence in Congress would put pressure on Republicans amid the ongoing government funding fight.—
Laura Gersony,
AZCentral.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Following a 12-game non-conference slate, highlighted by home bouts with Utah State and Davidson, as well as road clashes with Virginia Tech and Appalachian State, the 49ers tip off what hopes to be a bounce-back year in conference play — starting on New Year’s Eve.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
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In the build-up to this scene, Jordan has a clash with the head of student life about their gender identity, and the school’s intentional disregard of their experience and language around it.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For Democrats, the battle marked a defining moment to demonstrate unity after earlier funding fights in which they were accused of caving to Republican demands.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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That was really the battle, less than the gut.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These women, many of whom worked in relative obscurity for all their lives, labored to redefine the rights and dignity of all people.—
Time,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
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Hammond labored 50 hours over a two week span to create her project.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Democratic nominee for mayor also gave a speech at an African Methodist church, an effort to bridge the gap with apprehensive Black voters.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
1 Oct. 2025
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The improved profitability came as Beijing intensified efforts to rein in excess supply and aggressive price wars that had hurt companies' bottom line.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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All these years later, Corigliano’s symphony has outlasted those skirmishes and emerged sounding fresh and exciting and powerful.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
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Although the Hatfield-McCoy relationship has been fraught since the birth of the medium, streaming and cord-cutting has turned financial skirmishes into an existential contest.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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