struggled; struggling
ˈstrə-g(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition
struggling with the problem
2
: to proceed with difficulty or with great effort
struggled through the high grass
struggling to make a living
2
: a violent effort or exertion : an act of strongly motivated striving
a struggle to make ends meet
3
: tussle sense 1
during the struggle the gun went off
Examples of struggle in a Sentence
Verb
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.
Noun
the struggle for civil rights
There was a struggle for the gun.
There was no sign of a struggle.
It was a struggle getting out of bed this morning.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Price, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In Trump's first term, Republicans often struggled to pass major legislation despite holding full control of government, and the party is likely fearing history repeating itself.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
Since then Hutchinson has maintained that the murders were committed by two home invaders and that the family was killed in a struggle.
—James Powel, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
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show current usage.
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Verb
Finding And Managing Leads Another challenge is generating high-quality leads, as many new agents struggle to find enough prospects early on, leading to frustration and burnout.
—David Price, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In Trump's first term, Republicans often struggled to pass major legislation despite holding full control of government, and the party is likely fearing history repeating itself.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
The Tower is not always an omen of hardship and struggle.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
Since then Hutchinson has maintained that the murders were committed by two home invaders and that the family was killed in a struggle.
—James Powel, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/struggle. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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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