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
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
The departures of certain Kaiser Permanente offices and a string of prominent restaurant and bar closures have come to symbolize the city’s struggles to retain employers and attract new ones.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Dick described how Kathy often struggles with basic tasks, such as knowing how to turn on the electric toothbrush but not knowing how to turn it off.
—Janet W. Lee, NPR, 7 May 2026
Eight years later, Julie Barron‑Wells still struggles with the loss of her daughter, Kiley Lane.
—Marissa Armas, CBS News, 7 May 2026
Miami-Dade County runs one of the largest transit systems in the southeastern United States, but still struggles with low ridership on several routes — requiring cuts to service that might inconvenience some vulnerable residents.
—Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 5 May 2026
Yet, despite having funding, the department struggles with everything from emergency preparation and infrastructure maintenance to supporting new housing construction.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Anticipated state struggles to regulate foreign apps is why a federal ban would be preferable, 19th News reported.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
But that tandem struggles to defend.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 29 Apr. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Yet those absences alone cannot explain the breadth of struggles threatening the Astros’ season.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
Palestinians in Gaza are still contending with myriad daily struggles, from lack of water to rodent infestations in sprawling tent camps.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Poverty, lack of transportation to school and mental health struggles contribute to absenteeism and declining enrollment across San Diego County.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The reality star has been open about his struggles with addiction and mental health.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Their struggles are why Buster Posey shook things up by calling up Bryce Eldridge and Jesus Rodriguez.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
The loss of veteran Jonas Brodin to an injury, and the on-ice struggles of veterans Jared Spurgeon and Jake Middleton during the two games in Denver have been costly.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Lockermate Hunter Brown has been a sounding board during some of his struggles, Imai said on Tuesday.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Verb
Green struggles to score 16 points in an empty gym.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
The departures of certain Kaiser Permanente offices and a string of prominent restaurant and bar closures have come to symbolize the city’s struggles to retain employers and attract new ones.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Dick described how Kathy often struggles with basic tasks, such as knowing how to turn on the electric toothbrush but not knowing how to turn it off.
—Janet W. Lee, NPR, 7 May 2026
Eight years later, Julie Barron‑Wells still struggles with the loss of her daughter, Kiley Lane.
—Marissa Armas, CBS News, 7 May 2026
Miami-Dade County runs one of the largest transit systems in the southeastern United States, but still struggles with low ridership on several routes — requiring cuts to service that might inconvenience some vulnerable residents.
—Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 5 May 2026
Yet, despite having funding, the department struggles with everything from emergency preparation and infrastructure maintenance to supporting new housing construction.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Anticipated state struggles to regulate foreign apps is why a federal ban would be preferable, 19th News reported.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
But that tandem struggles to defend.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
And, perhaps, his mental-health struggles, his mood swings, and the antisocial behaviors that The Dark Wizard recounts and suggests were the cost of — or maybe the reason for — his athletic prowess.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Yet those absences alone cannot explain the breadth of struggles threatening the Astros’ season.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
Palestinians in Gaza are still contending with myriad daily struggles, from lack of water to rodent infestations in sprawling tent camps.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Poverty, lack of transportation to school and mental health struggles contribute to absenteeism and declining enrollment across San Diego County.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The reality star has been open about his struggles with addiction and mental health.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Their struggles are why Buster Posey shook things up by calling up Bryce Eldridge and Jesus Rodriguez.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
The loss of veteran Jonas Brodin to an injury, and the on-ice struggles of veterans Jared Spurgeon and Jake Middleton during the two games in Denver have been costly.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Lockermate Hunter Brown has been a sounding board during some of his struggles, Imai said on Tuesday.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles
Verb
-
As Laugier’s story continues, the man wanders through a forest, stumbles upon fallen branches, and has an epiphany.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory and mischief unfolds.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
29 Apr. 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
-
The Alabama case is part of a broader national wave of redistricting battles.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
-
In the legal battles that will follow, artificial intelligence may prove to be the sharpest tool in the courtroom.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The most recent back-and-forth over talks comes after a week of sporadic clashes in the Persian Gulf, amid a month-long ceasefire.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, small-scale clashes continued around the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
That’s why the series’ episodes that focus specifically on his rivalries with other climbers, in particular Honnold and Hunt, feel the most enlightening.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
-
The unanimous decision came during a nine-hour-long meeting that included several tense moments arising out of longstanding political rivalries.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Two title fights, multiple division-shifting wins, a record extended for Miller, an arrival statement from Amosov, and a main event that traded weeks of bad blood for legitimate mid-fight respect.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
Spread by social media flyers or mass messages beforehand, the takeovers have on occasion spiraled into chaos, with reports of fights, robberies, gunshots and general disruption.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The game was delayed with just under six minutes on the clock after several skirmishes broke out, leading to the ejections of Seals captain Wes Berg and Toronto’s Elijah Gash.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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