struggled; struggling
ˈstrə-g(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to make strenuous or forceful efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition
struggling with the problem
struggles with her health
—often followed by to + a verbstruggling to survive
2
a
: to proceed with difficulty or with great effort
struggled through the high grass
struggling to make a living
b
: to try to move something with difficulty
struggled to lift the package
c
: to fight with someone in order to get something
They struggled with each other for the gun.
3
: to be failing : to be doing without success
is struggling in math class
a struggling artist
Examples of struggle in a Sentence
He has been struggling with the problem of how to keep good workers from leaving.
They struggled for the right to vote.
She struggled up the hill through the snow.
She struggled to lift the package by herself, but it was too heavy.
He struggled to get free of the wreckage.
He's been struggling in math class for most of the year.
The team has continued to struggle in recent weeks.
He was living as a struggling artist in the city.
Recent Examples on the Web
As families struggle with rising costs, healthcare affordability has emerged as a defining issue heading into the midterms.
—
Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
The back-to-back deals offer one of the clearest signals yet that Abel is prepared to put Berkshire’s enormous balance sheet to work after years of criticism that the company had become too cautious and was struggling to find opportunities large enough to move the needle.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Though his lowlights are often meme-worthy online, most of the advanced statistics – such as win shares, value over replacement player and box-plus-minus – paint Podziemski as a positive contributor even on last season’s struggling team.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
Meanwhile, the 49ers have struggled to supplement their roster with stars after drafting them early in Shanahan’s tenure like George Kittle, Fred Warner and Bosa.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
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Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
The back-to-back deals offer one of the clearest signals yet that Abel is prepared to put Berkshire’s enormous balance sheet to work after years of criticism that the company had become too cautious and was struggling to find opportunities large enough to move the needle.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Though his lowlights are often meme-worthy online, most of the advanced statistics – such as win shares, value over replacement player and box-plus-minus – paint Podziemski as a positive contributor even on last season’s struggling team.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
Meanwhile, the 49ers have struggled to supplement their roster with stars after drafting them early in Shanahan’s tenure like George Kittle, Fred Warner and Bosa.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/struggle. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
struggle
2 of 2 noun1
: fight entry 2 sense 1a, contest
a power struggle
2
: a violent or strenuous effort or exertion
a struggle to make ends meet
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