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
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Recent Examples of struggles
Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
As Daniel, the town’s official, struggles to restore order, his search for answers spirals into obsession.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 May 2026
With stories focused on surviving rowdy family, moments of loneliness, struggles with faith, and navigating our deepest human relationships, Johnson’s abilities as a pensive storyteller are conducted masterfully.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2026
And like Iguodala, Hart sometimes struggles shooting or in other areas but always gives an effort, especially on defense.
—Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Queta has a team option for next season, Luka Garza — a solid shooter and offensive rebounder who struggles defensively — has one year left on his contract, and midseason pickup Nikola Vucevic is an impending free agent.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Even though their protagonist struggles with that.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 May 2026
Maxim Shemetov | Reuters CHONGQING, China — Alibaba on Wednesday announced a new artificial intelligence chip that is three times more powerful than its predecessor, adding to China's domestic AI chip options as Nvidia struggles to get its products into the country.
—Evelyn Cheng,dylan Butts, CNBC, 20 May 2026
In the House of Representatives, the ever-changing margins are razor-thin — just ask Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, who struggles with vote counts daily.
—Scott Braden, Denver Post, 19 May 2026
Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 14 May 2026
During the meeting, teams spoke about their struggles to support their travel to competitions.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Opening round struggles in majors have been a theme for McIlroy, even in his 2025 Masters' win to complete the career grand slam.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
If your handheld vacuum struggles to reach a space, let this gel grab hold of the grime—no water, sprays, or extra tools required.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2026
Daniels, who’d hoped to find stability in a permanent home for himself and his two young adult daughters after his divorce and health struggles, is living in a fifth wheel camper.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
DeChambeau’s struggles come at an especially critical juncture for the two-time US Open winner and the rest of his LIV Golf exiles.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 39 points, but his turnover struggles continued.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Verb
Hannah’s onscreen lover, Garrett, struggles with anger issues stemming from childhood trauma and an abusive father.
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
As Daniel, the town’s official, struggles to restore order, his search for answers spirals into obsession.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 May 2026
With stories focused on surviving rowdy family, moments of loneliness, struggles with faith, and navigating our deepest human relationships, Johnson’s abilities as a pensive storyteller are conducted masterfully.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2026
And like Iguodala, Hart sometimes struggles shooting or in other areas but always gives an effort, especially on defense.
—Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Queta has a team option for next season, Luka Garza — a solid shooter and offensive rebounder who struggles defensively — has one year left on his contract, and midseason pickup Nikola Vucevic is an impending free agent.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Even though their protagonist struggles with that.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 May 2026
Maxim Shemetov | Reuters CHONGQING, China — Alibaba on Wednesday announced a new artificial intelligence chip that is three times more powerful than its predecessor, adding to China's domestic AI chip options as Nvidia struggles to get its products into the country.
—Evelyn Cheng,dylan Butts, CNBC, 20 May 2026
In the House of Representatives, the ever-changing margins are razor-thin — just ask Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, who struggles with vote counts daily.
—Scott Braden, Denver Post, 19 May 2026
Noun
Those struggles can manifest in a range of ways, McClanahan said, from finding new coping mechanisms to replace food to ongoing body image concerns, even after weight loss.
—Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 14 May 2026
During the meeting, teams spoke about their struggles to support their travel to competitions.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Opening round struggles in majors have been a theme for McIlroy, even in his 2025 Masters' win to complete the career grand slam.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
If your handheld vacuum struggles to reach a space, let this gel grab hold of the grime—no water, sprays, or extra tools required.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2026
Daniels, who’d hoped to find stability in a permanent home for himself and his two young adult daughters after his divorce and health struggles, is living in a fifth wheel camper.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
DeChambeau’s struggles come at an especially critical juncture for the two-time US Open winner and the rest of his LIV Golf exiles.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 39 points, but his turnover struggles continued.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles
Verb
-
Set during the summer of 1975, Sessa stars as a 19-year-old Bourdain who travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen.—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
After an embarrassing encounter — Wells, working as a janitor, stumbles upon Graham naked in the locker room — the two make an arrangement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 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
-
But if both of those battles end up as washes, the Knicks could pull away in this series because their work on the glass earns them extra shots.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Trustees increasingly want leaders capable of navigating not only fundraising and research growth, but also the political battles reshaping higher education.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The protest turned violent with clashes breaking out between pro-Palestinian supporters, who were protesting an event hosted by the synagogue to promote land for sale in Israel, and pro-Israel counterprotesters.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Widespread protests followed, along with some clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
One of the fiercest divisional rivalries in the NFL will have a new look to it.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Cherfilus-McCormick referenced a previous interaction with Wasserman Schultz, signaling that political rivalries could intensify if both enter the race for District 20.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The ultimate goal, organizers said, is to win more elections, sway policy fights and protect diverse political representation at all levels.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
The biggest issue with these Netflix stunt-fights, aside from the age and condition of the fighters, is that the main event takes forever to start.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Tempers flared between the teams, leading to a couple of skirmishes.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
Here are some photos from the second of three skirmishes in this always entertaining Show Me State clash.—
Jeff Rosen,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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