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
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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
as in failing
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of struggling
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite rapid growth, many marketers remain in the early stages of maturity—focused on automating legacy processes and struggling to measure ROI.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Experts agree that lawn aeration is one of the best ways to refresh tired or struggling turfgrass.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Tellingly, Americans with stronger credit scores don’t appear to be struggling to make car payments.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Neither economy is in recession, but both are struggling to gain traction.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The film follows Malik (Omar Epps), a gifted athlete struggling academically; Kristen (Kristy Swanson), a young woman discovering her voice; and Remy (Michael Rapaport), a student whose isolation turns dangerous.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
But the God-fearing, first-time candidate is hoping to appeal to Florida voters at a time that the Democratic Party is struggling trying to find relevance or a defining identity in the MAGA era.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
But in some cases, a student’s home life does not support their safety and well-being, not only in the context of gender identity but also in situations like domestic violence, absentee parents, or parents struggling with addiction issues.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Six of their big chances came against struggling Forest, with Newcastle converting just one of those, while four more came in the wild 3-2 defeat against Liverpool.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite rapid growth, many marketers remain in the early stages of maturity—focused on automating legacy processes and struggling to measure ROI.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Experts agree that lawn aeration is one of the best ways to refresh tired or struggling turfgrass.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Tellingly, Americans with stronger credit scores don’t appear to be struggling to make car payments.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Neither economy is in recession, but both are struggling to gain traction.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The film follows Malik (Omar Epps), a gifted athlete struggling academically; Kristen (Kristy Swanson), a young woman discovering her voice; and Remy (Michael Rapaport), a student whose isolation turns dangerous.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
But the God-fearing, first-time candidate is hoping to appeal to Florida voters at a time that the Democratic Party is struggling trying to find relevance or a defining identity in the MAGA era.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
But in some cases, a student’s home life does not support their safety and well-being, not only in the context of gender identity but also in situations like domestic violence, absentee parents, or parents struggling with addiction issues.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggling
Verb
-
Footage of a father stumbling around, apparently carrying the headless body of his baby?—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Remaining unclaimed playoff spots The final two playoff spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs, with FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes all stumbling towards the finish line.—
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And then a lot of just striving for success.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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The Utah Jazz have waived a former elite lottery prospect who is now striving to just carve out a rotation role on an NBA roster.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His father exists in the world, floundering about and getting high, but the larger and more potent existence that this man has, in your case, is in your stepson’s psyche.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Justin Herbert and company opened at 3-0, then took back-to-back Ls and narrowly escaped the floundering Miami Dolphins.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With The Fulfillment, the sub-context is how clout culture is a currency, how attention itself has become a currency, just like our laboring bodies are.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
19 Sep. 2025
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While such a scenario sounds potentially maudlin and manipulative, Lucero — who wrote the film from a personal place — never allows that to happen by making the characters complex and flawed, and laboring under real-life issues.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her mission is to be an example of overcoming adversity, reminding the world that true success comes from working with love, respect, and shining without dimming the light of others.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
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Perri, 37, was used to working with athletes.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Others were trying to find a place in a growing narrative of American exceptionalism.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The risk to coffee production from climate change has some researchers trying to develop more climate-resistant varieties of coffee.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Skilled forgers started to catch on, endeavoring to cash in on that development.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
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But organizers are also endeavoring to create more structured career pathways for PAs, who do not have many clear options for career advancement.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Struggling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggling. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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