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
Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Over the last few years, Keira has lost her ability to speak, has started having seizures, and struggles more and more with walking.
—Elise Esposito, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
Russia faces further battlefield setbacks Russia’s armed forces are suffering dual pressures from significant battlefield casualties and struggles to recruit replacements, underscoring Moscow’s growing challenges in its war on Ukraine.
—semafor.com, 29 May 2026
As the world struggles to contain the rapidly growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ituri Province, a vital network of research centers has been unable to help on the ground.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
What to Know About Adhesive Patches and Removers If your CGM struggles to last in humid weather or during exercise, an over-patch can buy days of wear.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
Every administration since the Marcos dictatorship has directed particular attention to the island of Negros, which has seen considerable NPA activity because of the area’s chronic struggles over land rights.
—Patrick Peralta, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
The entry-level Razr struggles to match the visual beauty of its pricier sibling.
—Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026
Hannah’s onscreen lover, Garrett, struggles with anger issues stemming from childhood trauma and an abusive father.
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
The father of three also spoke about the struggles many parents face while advocating for their children with autism.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Brennan explained that explorations of society’s associations with mental health, both broadly in the aftermath of World War II and specifically Gein’s own struggles with schizophrenia, were top of mind when penning the script.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 May 2026
Around this year, several factors started to emerge that correlate with students’ struggles.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 28 May 2026
But both teams have had their struggles after getting to the NCAA Tournament.
—Ajc Sports, AJC.com, 28 May 2026
Their struggles, however, aren’t a direct result of this shifting approach to ticket pricing, according to Cameron Mansson-Perrone, lead analyst, music & live entertainment research at Morgan Stanley, who covers both stocks.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 28 May 2026
On a long list of slumping Cubs, Happ’s struggles have been among the most pronounced.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
During the meeting, teams spoke about their struggles to support their travel to competitions.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Verb
In it, a Native Hawaiian family struggles to reclaim the ancestral lands that colonization, tourism, and rampant development threaten to overrun.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Over the last few years, Keira has lost her ability to speak, has started having seizures, and struggles more and more with walking.
—Elise Esposito, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
Russia faces further battlefield setbacks Russia’s armed forces are suffering dual pressures from significant battlefield casualties and struggles to recruit replacements, underscoring Moscow’s growing challenges in its war on Ukraine.
—semafor.com, 29 May 2026
As the world struggles to contain the rapidly growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ituri Province, a vital network of research centers has been unable to help on the ground.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
What to Know About Adhesive Patches and Removers If your CGM struggles to last in humid weather or during exercise, an over-patch can buy days of wear.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
Every administration since the Marcos dictatorship has directed particular attention to the island of Negros, which has seen considerable NPA activity because of the area’s chronic struggles over land rights.
—Patrick Peralta, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
The entry-level Razr struggles to match the visual beauty of its pricier sibling.
—Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026
Hannah’s onscreen lover, Garrett, struggles with anger issues stemming from childhood trauma and an abusive father.
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
Noun
After multiple struggles, the music icon says in the teaser for his new interview with Good Morning America's Chris Connelly that his health has improved.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
The father of three also spoke about the struggles many parents face while advocating for their children with autism.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Brennan explained that explorations of society’s associations with mental health, both broadly in the aftermath of World War II and specifically Gein’s own struggles with schizophrenia, were top of mind when penning the script.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 May 2026
Around this year, several factors started to emerge that correlate with students’ struggles.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 28 May 2026
But both teams have had their struggles after getting to the NCAA Tournament.
—Ajc Sports, AJC.com, 28 May 2026
Their struggles, however, aren’t a direct result of this shifting approach to ticket pricing, according to Cameron Mansson-Perrone, lead analyst, music & live entertainment research at Morgan Stanley, who covers both stocks.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 28 May 2026
On a long list of slumping Cubs, Happ’s struggles have been among the most pronounced.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
During the meeting, teams spoke about their struggles to support their travel to competitions.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles
Verb
-
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
-
Roher and co-writer Robert Ramsay craft a classically structured screenplay about a talented piano tuner who stumbles into a life of crime, upon which Roher, editor Greg O’Bryant, and composer Will Bates embroider jazzy rhythms and inflections, inspired by the musical world our characters inhabit.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who’s seen enough adaptations knows the difference between one that strives to apprehend the source material and one that feels derived from a Wikipedia summary.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Accessibility Ocean Casino Resort strives to provide an accessible experience for all guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
With voluntary OTAs comes the start of positional battles.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
26 May 2026
-
You’ll be best served by choosing your battles.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Outside the facility’s gates, there have been clashes between federal immigration officials and demonstrators.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Days of protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Newark, New Jersey, have led to clashes between demonstrators and officers and a handful of arrests.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing).—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
-
Student athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness, but college sports still needs real rules, competitive balance, rivalries, and a true connection to education.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To those who knew him, Lemieux could be surprisingly vulnerable, Shanahan said, noting the friendship Lemieux forged with Red Wings enforcer Darren McCarty despite multiple fights in their careers.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Those offenses could include public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fights and noise disturbances.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Inconspicuous blows against Denver escalated to skirmishes.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
Thankfully, none of these skirmishes affects the guests’ satisfaction with the trip.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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