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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to strive
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
a performer's long struggle to achieve success
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggle
Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The Heat’s offense continued to struggle against the Raptors’ quality defense, as Tuesday’s loss locked Miami into the NBA’s play-in tournament for the fourth straight season.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
Defenseman Tyson Hinds made his NHL debut for the Ducks, whose defensive struggles are the primary source of their late-season woes.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Verb
The four-seam fastball was better, that’s something he’s struggled with the command of.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The Heat’s offense continued to struggle against the Raptors’ quality defense, as Tuesday’s loss locked Miami into the NBA’s play-in tournament for the fourth straight season.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
Eventually their vacation spirals into a violent struggle for control and survival.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
Defenseman Tyson Hinds made his NHL debut for the Ducks, whose defensive struggles are the primary source of their late-season woes.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
Verb
-
The show follows Nicky (Levy) and Morgan Dardano (Taylor Ortega), a pastor-and-teacher sibling duo from New Jersey who stumble into organized crime after Morgan steals a necklace from a postal store to bury with their dying grandmother.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
-
When a character speaks English, an accent is employed and the manner is often a bit stumbling.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The City Council could vote to revive the program more immediately under this option but would have to use money allocated to Vision Zero, which is the initiative striving to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Family is kind of what bands strive to be.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Republican candidates, State Senator Mayes Middleton and Central Texas Congressman Chip Roy, are in a very contentious fight.—
Jack Fink
April 12,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Battle of Kings Mountain, where the Patriots won a 1780 battle just west of Charlotte, and a recreation of British loyalist leader Maj.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In a battle for first place in the Pacific Coast League, Patel drove in five runs and scored a run to lead Irvine to an 8-2 victory over Portola.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Penguins showed a video tribute honoring Ovechkin and his longstanding rivalry with Crosby during a television timeout in the second period.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The couple has previously playfully acknowledged their rivalry.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That took hundreds of people within Apple laboring over technical details like the screen’s lamination and moisture rejection, according to a former Apple engineering leader.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
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Senators already labored for weeks to try to find agreement on Democrats’ demand that any funding for the Department of Homeland Security come with restrictions on how federal immigration agents conduct enforcement.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Castle Rock offered grants to support efforts to commemorate the 150th anniversary.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Each product is designed to work synergistically, delivering visible results with minimal effort, no guesswork involved.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All three judges scored it 98-92 for the 29-year-old Briton, who sustained cuts over both eyes from head clashes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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And the clash of ideologies must now be balanced on the backs of many hardworking people trying to keep their children out of institutional care and on the Medicaid providers that support them.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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