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
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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
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
When Little John struggles to describe his dream girl, Robin instructs his protegee to sketch an image with words.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
The latest strikes underscore a new phase of the war, with Ukraine increasingly able to hit high-value targets deep inside Russia while Moscow struggles to prevent drones from reaching politically sensitive and economically important sites near the capital.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Matthew still struggles to recover his memories but is trying.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 June 2026
As Emma struggles to find her way home, another teenage girl is watching from the shadows.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
All four of the most likely A’s All-Stars would be making their first-ever appearances, with other stars like Wilson and Rooker having the potential to make games in the future after dealing with injuries and some struggles this season that have kept them out of contention.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Ray struggles to hide his drink, to get a drink, to get away on his own and pursue his Sisyphean labors of hammering a bucket of baseballs off a tee and then wandering through the field to collect them and start again.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Edwards is a good, kind, and loyal friend, but also struggles with depression and alcoholism.
—Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
Not by putting anyone on blast and not by outing anyone’s struggles, but by keeping the burden of truth squarely on my shoulders.
—Ali Lerman, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Mike Trout, nearly 35, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, playing at an elite level with 17 homers and a 144 OPS+, despite his Angels' ongoing struggles.
—Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
But behind those struggles lies a system under strain, where staffing shortages, thin provider margins, low worker pay and rapid regional growth have created pressure at nearly every level.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
Additionally, children face ongoing struggles with attention spans and focus, significantly poorer sleep quality, and potential exposure to inappropriate online content.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 11 June 2026
But Connor Yakaitis, the deputy director at CTLVC, said the region’s struggles with high energy costs weren’t simply the result of stagnant supply and rising demand.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Downtown struggles due to remote work.
—Megan Kang, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Verb
The introvert who generates extraordinary individual insight but struggles to inspire large groups gets an extroverted deputy to do the rallying.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
When Little John struggles to describe his dream girl, Robin instructs his protegee to sketch an image with words.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
The latest strikes underscore a new phase of the war, with Ukraine increasingly able to hit high-value targets deep inside Russia while Moscow struggles to prevent drones from reaching politically sensitive and economically important sites near the capital.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Matthew still struggles to recover his memories but is trying.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 June 2026
As Emma struggles to find her way home, another teenage girl is watching from the shadows.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
All four of the most likely A’s All-Stars would be making their first-ever appearances, with other stars like Wilson and Rooker having the potential to make games in the future after dealing with injuries and some struggles this season that have kept them out of contention.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Ray struggles to hide his drink, to get a drink, to get away on his own and pursue his Sisyphean labors of hammering a bucket of baseballs off a tee and then wandering through the field to collect them and start again.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Edwards is a good, kind, and loyal friend, but also struggles with depression and alcoholism.
—Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Noun
Prices of essential goods have soared and many people have lost their jobs, with millions now at risk of falling into poverty amid widespread economic struggles.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
Not by putting anyone on blast and not by outing anyone’s struggles, but by keeping the burden of truth squarely on my shoulders.
—Ali Lerman, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Mike Trout, nearly 35, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, playing at an elite level with 17 homers and a 144 OPS+, despite his Angels' ongoing struggles.
—Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
But behind those struggles lies a system under strain, where staffing shortages, thin provider margins, low worker pay and rapid regional growth have created pressure at nearly every level.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
Additionally, children face ongoing struggles with attention spans and focus, significantly poorer sleep quality, and potential exposure to inappropriate online content.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 11 June 2026
But Connor Yakaitis, the deputy director at CTLVC, said the region’s struggles with high energy costs weren’t simply the result of stagnant supply and rising demand.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Downtown struggles due to remote work.
—Megan Kang, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles
Verb
-
After a rocky start, Joey stumbles on some talents and goes to great lengths to impress Leonard in his audition for a play.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
-
The first robot stumbles on aluminum debris, its wheels furiously trying to get traction and move around the obstacle.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
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.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2026
-
In a world of jaded billionaires, psychiatrist-gurus, bio-hacked tech bros, AI labs and disillusioned teens being optimized in elite private schools, an audacious data-mining CEO (Billy Magnussen) strives to turn insight and influence into profit and power.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Related Stories The project will explore Gaudí’s life, inner battles and spiritual evolution, framing the architect as a radical creative force shaped by faith and an increasingly austere existence.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
16 June 2026
-
What follows is a wildly chaotic getaway featuring inflatable bubble-ball battles, awkward matchmaking schemes, disastrous sabotage attemptsand even an emergency dolphin CPR situation.—
Lily Brown,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The clashes continued even after police ordered the demonstrators to disperse.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
In the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, violence drove displacements to record levels following the armed clashes in Cite Soleil in March and again in May.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
From legendary investors to rising disruptors, host Maneet Ahuja unpacks the convictions, rivalries and bold ideas driving today’s markets and tomorrow’s economy.—
Maneet Ahuja,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
While the two keep drinking and wait for a rare lunar event, old grievances, outrageous escapades, and macho rivalries explode to the surface.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Seven cage fights will be held on the White House grounds in honor of the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary – a day that also happens to be the president's 80th birthday.—
Danielle Kurtzleben,
NPR,
14 June 2026
-
Trump has sought to tie Sunday’s event — which features seven fights running past midnight — to larger, months-long celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.—
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
One of those skirmishes, in fact, involved Childress himself, in 2011 at Kansas Speedway, when the then-65-year-old car owner for an opposing team got into a physical altercation with Busch after an on-track incident.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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