as in failing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stumbling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in striving
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of struggling
Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2025
But because of passenger complaints and the need to revitalize a struggling tourist economy, the government adopted new regulations last month that will force a change in these habits.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
In those 1930s films, the fast-talking lovers and schemers acknowledged the struggling world around them, if quietly (few films beyond Gold Diggers of 1933 made explicit reference to economic turmoil).
—Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
That means next year is going to be a struggle for the quarterback, who is already struggling.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
Businesses are struggling to keep up with cybercriminals’ pace of innovation.
—Rick Hutchinson, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
This becomes particularly important in a market where some consumers are struggling with inflation and financial constraints, while others are less affected and continue to spend freely.
—Mikko Karkkainen, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
California and Stanford ventured to the opposite coast for the first time, both struggling in the Eastern time zone.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Ordinary Americans also work for league media arms such as the NFL Network, which last year conducted layoffs, or their partners, including regional sports networks that are struggling to keep pace.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
The state has grown increasingly reliant on unlicensed teachers because schools are struggling to retain experienced educators.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2025
But because of passenger complaints and the need to revitalize a struggling tourist economy, the government adopted new regulations last month that will force a change in these habits.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
In those 1930s films, the fast-talking lovers and schemers acknowledged the struggling world around them, if quietly (few films beyond Gold Diggers of 1933 made explicit reference to economic turmoil).
—Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
That means next year is going to be a struggle for the quarterback, who is already struggling.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
Businesses are struggling to keep up with cybercriminals’ pace of innovation.
—Rick Hutchinson, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
This becomes particularly important in a market where some consumers are struggling with inflation and financial constraints, while others are less affected and continue to spend freely.
—Mikko Karkkainen, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
California and Stanford ventured to the opposite coast for the first time, both struggling in the Eastern time zone.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Ordinary Americans also work for league media arms such as the NFL Network, which last year conducted layoffs, or their partners, including regional sports networks that are struggling to keep pace.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggling
Verb
-
This means going beyond policies and quotas, striving instead for cultural norms where differences are not only accepted but celebrated.—
Mo Hamzian,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Here's to making progress, staying focused, and striving for incremental improvements throughout 2025.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The Mets’ 3-1 Opening Day loss to the Houston Astros at Daikin Park featured a base-running blunder, a botched double play and a starting pitcher who was laboring by the fourth inning and was removed with two outs in the fifth.—
Abbey Mastracco,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The Mets’ 3-1 Opening Day loss to the Houston Astros at Daikin Park featured a baserunning blunder, a botched double play and a starting pitcher who was laboring by the fourth inning and was removed with two outs in the fifth.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.—
Tom MacCubbin,
orlandosentinel.com,
6 Mar. 2021
-
In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
15 May 2020
Verb
-
After 16 years working with world's largest brands and acts, Stirling is now a creative director with Tvg Hospitality.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Or pushing through with friendships that aren’t really working anymore, and maybe never did.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Nigel Farage was elected to Parliament at the eighth time of trying in July.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Nobody inside the Minnesota Wild locker room was trying to insult anybody’s intelligence by claiming a 1-goal win Monday night over the worst team in the NHL completely cured their recent ills.—
Michael Russo,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Struggling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggling. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share