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
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 struggles
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
26 June 2026
In Proof, how has playing Robert, who’s brilliant but also struggles with mental health, stretched or transformed your range?
—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2026
As the industry struggles with supply chain issues, tariffs, and the loss of multi-brand retail partners, doing things differently is an advantage.
—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
As Europe struggles with its latest blistering heatwave, the high temperatures foreshadow the wildfire season.
—
ABC News,
26 June 2026
Angela can't stop fussing over the kitchen tidiness, while Joe struggles to relax, clumsily attempting to dance seductively for Piña.
—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Poopies tries to shave his face as Knoxville zaps him, and later, Steve-O struggles to tattoo a smiley face onto Holmes' nipple as he gets repeatedly buzzed.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 June 2026
Sarah Forbes Bonetta, an African princess and Queen Victoria’s Goddaughter, struggles to be accepted without erasing herself.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
More than half of the population struggles every day to find food.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
The actress spent a few years away from Hollywood, working at a treatment center after her own struggles with substance abuse.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 July 2026
Some Southern states boycotted the fair because of financial struggles and lingering resentment.
—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
1 July 2026
McConnell’s recent health struggles McConnell has struggled publicly with his health in recent years.
—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Toronto's struggles as a team have mirrored Guerrero's disappointing production so far in his first season without Bichette.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Readers love seeing a character reclaiming her agency, finding justice, closure, or peace through her struggles.
—
Literary Hub,
1 July 2026
These are all major breakthroughs for a soccer-loving continent that had been underrepresented on the sport’s biggest stage and whose soccer success was often stymied by financial struggles and administrative corruption.
—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
But the focus stays very much on the struggles of married life.
—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Verb
Laila struggles to balance her musicianship with her social life.
—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
26 June 2026
In Proof, how has playing Robert, who’s brilliant but also struggles with mental health, stretched or transformed your range?
—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2026
As the industry struggles with supply chain issues, tariffs, and the loss of multi-brand retail partners, doing things differently is an advantage.
—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
As Europe struggles with its latest blistering heatwave, the high temperatures foreshadow the wildfire season.
—
ABC News,
26 June 2026
Angela can't stop fussing over the kitchen tidiness, while Joe struggles to relax, clumsily attempting to dance seductively for Piña.
—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Poopies tries to shave his face as Knoxville zaps him, and later, Steve-O struggles to tattoo a smiley face onto Holmes' nipple as he gets repeatedly buzzed.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 June 2026
Sarah Forbes Bonetta, an African princess and Queen Victoria’s Goddaughter, struggles to be accepted without erasing herself.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
More than half of the population struggles every day to find food.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
Noun
And then there’s the guy that had a lot of success, and through injuries or struggles, needs to change some things and adjust some things.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
The actress spent a few years away from Hollywood, working at a treatment center after her own struggles with substance abuse.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 July 2026
Some Southern states boycotted the fair because of financial struggles and lingering resentment.
—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
1 July 2026
McConnell’s recent health struggles McConnell has struggled publicly with his health in recent years.
—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Toronto's struggles as a team have mirrored Guerrero's disappointing production so far in his first season without Bichette.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Readers love seeing a character reclaiming her agency, finding justice, closure, or peace through her struggles.
—
Literary Hub,
1 July 2026
These are all major breakthroughs for a soccer-loving continent that had been underrepresented on the sport’s biggest stage and whose soccer success was often stymied by financial struggles and administrative corruption.
—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
But the focus stays very much on the struggles of married life.
—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles
Verb
-
In it, the man stumbles around, blinded by the sun, surrounded by insensible tourists.
-
The conversation stumbles on for a few moments, but Crook can’t find the words.
Verb
-
Alan Stanton said the conservative county strives not to overregulate in general.
-
New legislation introduced by a bipartisan group of senators strives to add new aircraft to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hurricane Hunter fleet and codify the agency’s role in meteorological research.
Noun
-
Informal Beyblade battles are popping up in strangest of places, with players huddling in parks, gyms and shopping malls.
-
Unlike in Jalisco or Michoacán, spectacular gun battles are hardly ever seen in Colima.
Noun
-
But occasionally there can be personality clashes or people who other people on the trip find annoying.
-
Sistan-Baluchistan, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long seen clashes between security forces, insurgents and drug smugglers.
Noun
-
First, the worst conference changes hadn’t struck yet, and some of the rivalries torn apart by previous realignments were even getting back together.
-
As Miranda works to protect the magazine's influence, old alliances and rivalries are tested, putting Andy in the middle of another complicated chapter in her career.
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.
Noun
-
Skoog said he was honored to receive Sayers’ endorsement, saying mayors are focused on delivering results rather than engaging in political fights.
-
For five months, sentiment ran consistently negative, dragged down by trade disputes, NATO burden-sharing fights and the general friction between Washington and European capitals.
Noun
-
While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
-
Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
