1
as in stumbles
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 strives
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in battles
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
a performer's long struggle to achieve success
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in clashes
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 rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
her staunchest supporters in her struggle for the office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggles
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Courtesy Christine Russo Christine Russo, Dominic Russo’s older sister, who participated in the Netflix documentary, said her family still struggles with his loss.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Healthcare has spent decades building increasingly sophisticated technology on top of infrastructure that still struggles to reliably move records, imaging and clinical context between institutions without faxes, CDs and manual coordination.
—Demetri Giannikopoulos, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Both movies hinge on transgressive acts of voyeurism, but this one, which more self-consciously explores how the world can be shaped by the mere act of watching it, struggles to find anything of interest to show us.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
The union contrasted member struggles with the residences UC offers to chancellors and below-market-rate mortgages available to certain faculty and executives.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
But even in periods of relative calm, the hospital struggles to keep pace.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
The line first appeared in a season 3 episode of the show, in which now 68-year-old Plumb's character — middle sister Jan — struggles with being compared to her older sister Marcia (played by Maureen McCormick).
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Green struggles to score 16 points in an empty gym.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 14 May 2026
During the meeting, teams spoke about their struggles to support their travel to competitions.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Opening round struggles in majors have been a theme for McIlroy, even in his 2025 Masters' win to complete the career grand slam.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
If your handheld vacuum struggles to reach a space, let this gel grab hold of the grime—no water, sprays, or extra tools required.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2026
Daniels, who’d hoped to find stability in a permanent home for himself and his two young adult daughters after his divorce and health struggles, is living in a fifth wheel camper.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
DeChambeau’s struggles come at an especially critical juncture for the two-time US Open winner and the rest of his LIV Golf exiles.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 39 points, but his turnover struggles continued.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Verb
By slow degrees, Philip’s story shifts to accommodate the incontrovertible evidence of IP addresses and deciphered cryptography and Lucy struggles to keep up, let alone understand.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Courtesy Christine Russo Christine Russo, Dominic Russo’s older sister, who participated in the Netflix documentary, said her family still struggles with his loss.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Healthcare has spent decades building increasingly sophisticated technology on top of infrastructure that still struggles to reliably move records, imaging and clinical context between institutions without faxes, CDs and manual coordination.
—Demetri Giannikopoulos, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Both movies hinge on transgressive acts of voyeurism, but this one, which more self-consciously explores how the world can be shaped by the mere act of watching it, struggles to find anything of interest to show us.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
The union contrasted member struggles with the residences UC offers to chancellors and below-market-rate mortgages available to certain faculty and executives.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
But even in periods of relative calm, the hospital struggles to keep pace.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
The line first appeared in a season 3 episode of the show, in which now 68-year-old Plumb's character — middle sister Jan — struggles with being compared to her older sister Marcia (played by Maureen McCormick).
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Green struggles to score 16 points in an empty gym.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Noun
Those struggles can manifest in a range of ways, McClanahan said, from finding new coping mechanisms to replace food to ongoing body image concerns, even after weight loss.
—Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 14 May 2026
During the meeting, teams spoke about their struggles to support their travel to competitions.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Opening round struggles in majors have been a theme for McIlroy, even in his 2025 Masters' win to complete the career grand slam.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
If your handheld vacuum struggles to reach a space, let this gel grab hold of the grime—no water, sprays, or extra tools required.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2026
Daniels, who’d hoped to find stability in a permanent home for himself and his two young adult daughters after his divorce and health struggles, is living in a fifth wheel camper.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
DeChambeau’s struggles come at an especially critical juncture for the two-time US Open winner and the rest of his LIV Golf exiles.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 39 points, but his turnover struggles continued.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles
Verb
-
Set during the summer of 1975, Sessa stars as a 19-year-old Bourdain who travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen.—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
After an embarrassing encounter — Wells, working as a janitor, stumbles upon Graham naked in the locker room — the two make an arrangement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Dan Drazen, Trinity’s vice president of development, said the overarching redevelopment design strives to make Mary Shepard Place more resemble what the neighborhood looked like prior to the construction of Bellevue Square in 1942 and what still exists today in the surrounding area.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But if both of those battles end up as washes, the Knicks could pull away in this series because their work on the glass earns them extra shots.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Trustees increasingly want leaders capable of navigating not only fundraising and research growth, but also the political battles reshaping higher education.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The protest turned violent with clashes breaking out between pro-Palestinian supporters, who were protesting an event hosted by the synagogue to promote land for sale in Israel, and pro-Israel counterprotesters.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Widespread protests followed, along with some clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
One of the fiercest divisional rivalries in the NFL will have a new look to it.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Cherfilus-McCormick referenced a previous interaction with Wasserman Schultz, signaling that political rivalries could intensify if both enter the race for District 20.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The ultimate goal, organizers said, is to win more elections, sway policy fights and protect diverse political representation at all levels.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
The biggest issue with these Netflix stunt-fights, aside from the age and condition of the fighters, is that the main event takes forever to start.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Tempers flared between the teams, leading to a couple of skirmishes.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
Here are some photos from the second of three skirmishes in this always entertaining Show Me State clash.—
Jeff Rosen,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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