as in failing
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Dissimilar Words
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggling
Alex Lehnert, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Laura Millan, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Those struggling with housing costs often must make impossible decisions between paying rent and affording food, healthcare or transportation.
—Ryan Von Weller, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Conor Gallagher lacks Xavi’s technical quality and Pape Matar Sarr is struggling with a shoulder injury.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
So while some commissioners are worrying about where the money will come from in the future – people who are struggling today aren't getting any help.
—Jim Defede, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
That is, of course, because the guild had to address its struggling health plan.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
Other discount airlines are struggling as well.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
That leaves firms which relied on cheap, abundant credit during the low-rate era of 2010s and early 2020s more exposed, with weaker companies struggling to roll over debt or exit investments.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Their goal is to release them back into the wild to help restore struggling populations.
—Alex Lehnert, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
As the city morphs into a luxury tourist destination, struggling small businesses are pushing to retain the character that drew many tourists in the first place.
—Laura Millan, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Those struggling with housing costs often must make impossible decisions between paying rent and affording food, healthcare or transportation.
—Ryan Von Weller, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Conor Gallagher lacks Xavi’s technical quality and Pape Matar Sarr is struggling with a shoulder injury.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
So while some commissioners are worrying about where the money will come from in the future – people who are struggling today aren't getting any help.
—Jim Defede, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
That is, of course, because the guild had to address its struggling health plan.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
Other discount airlines are struggling as well.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
That leaves firms which relied on cheap, abundant credit during the low-rate era of 2010s and early 2020s more exposed, with weaker companies struggling to roll over debt or exit investments.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggling
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The title track, with its glassy melody and woozy, almost stumbling groove, deploys wholesome, end-of-the-night, comedown energy not unlike Bicep’s most beloved tracks.—
Reid BG,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Pack comfortable shoes and enjoy stumbling upon the secrets of the city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boring dad; feisty mom; rich do-gooder; striving newcomer; MAGA one; MAGA two.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Seasoned party-planners say that striving to create meaningful interactions instead of for perfection alleviates some of the stress of hosting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The additional billions that Moscow has reaped because of the Iran war is easing some pressure off Russia’s floundering economy and the Kremlin’s ability to finance the conflict in Ukraine.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Ray has a sympathy for these floundering men, not as victims but as people relying on the wrong structures for support.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For the rest of us, the construction kickoff means delay upon delay as streets, avenues and roads are awash with heavy equipment and construction workers laboring with jackhammers, picks and shovels.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Trump poses as a pro-worker force, but his policies are atrocious for the laboring class.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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
-
The National Conflict Resolution Center has hosted this event for 38 years now, to recognize individuals and organizations working with passion and purpose toward a better future for all Americans.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Clear, kind boundaries keep things working.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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