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
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
Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Wembanyama finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in the loss but downplayed any worries about the team’s struggles after the game.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
In addition to all of those struggles, Lululemon, like everyone else, has also had to contend with a new conflict in the Middle East and surging gas prices, which are also increasing costs.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Summer will still come with its share of struggles.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
Other observers have attributed her struggles to sexism.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Don't let anyone tell you your struggles prevent you from chasing your dreams.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Whereas Sanó’s struggles were physical, Lewis’ seemed more of the mental variety.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 3 June 2026
While the multi-hyphenate's kids give her a great sense of pride, Garner's home life has not come without some struggles (and in the public eye at that).
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 3 June 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
Ohtani was back to a full starter’s workload for the first time since 2023, even mentioning fatigue in his postgame interview after his second start of the season, and before games was working to address his offensive struggles.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Wembanyama finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in the loss but downplayed any worries about the team’s struggles after the game.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
In addition to all of those struggles, Lululemon, like everyone else, has also had to contend with a new conflict in the Middle East and surging gas prices, which are also increasing costs.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Summer will still come with its share of struggles.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
Other observers have attributed her struggles to sexism.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Don't let anyone tell you your struggles prevent you from chasing your dreams.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Whereas Sanó’s struggles were physical, Lewis’ seemed more of the mental variety.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 3 June 2026
While the multi-hyphenate's kids give her a great sense of pride, Garner's home life has not come without some struggles (and in the public eye at that).
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 3 June 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
-
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 (Magnussen) strives to turn insight and influence into profit and power.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
-
Denver Fringe strives to make the arts accessible to all, with tickets priced at $20 each for most shows.—
Laura Daily,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Staal’s still elite at winning defensive zone puck battles, which helps tee up Ehlers to play to his strengths and gives the Canes an all-three-zone impact in their minutes that has added up to a 66 percent xG rate.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Calvert shares similar views and has survived an ethics complaint and two previous redistricting battles during his 33 years in Congress.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
2 June 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
-
The narrative tracks Maurício (Reymond), a retired player striving to establish a new career as an agent in the aggressive football business while managing industry rivalries, family tensions, and the legacy of his past disappointments.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
The diary was still treated primarily as evidence of motive, evidence about the boys, their rivalries, their jealousy, their emotional states.—
Kate Casey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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