1
as in to stumble
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 to strive
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
a performer's long struggle to achieve success
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2
as in clash
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
there was a struggle between the armed robber and the shopkeeper, and the gun went off
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3
as in battle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
her staunchest supporters in her struggle for the office
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggle
Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Four years on from the chaotic withdrawal of American and NATO troops, Afghanistan is struggling to stay afloat.
—Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 22 July 2025
If it were made 50 years ago, audiences would no doubt have seen parallels with the Vietnam War, or any of a number of post-colonial struggles.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Verb
The confident executive who once commanded boardrooms may struggle with basic introductions at community events.
—Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Four years on from the chaotic withdrawal of American and NATO troops, Afghanistan is struggling to stay afloat.
—Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Noun
Strahm is back to himself again after some struggles in June.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 22 July 2025
If it were made 50 years ago, audiences would no doubt have seen parallels with the Vietnam War, or any of a number of post-colonial struggles.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
Verb
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Symptoms include shivering, memory loss, stumbling, confusion and sleepiness.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
-
But the Mets’ rotation stumbled in the second half of June and into the All-Star break.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Even though her husband and her eldest son will one day be king, Princess Kate has strived to maintain a sense of normalcy at home.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
22 July 2025
-
These dishes have to be perfect, even in their simplicity, and there’s something exciting about striving for that.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
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Ali has not yet responded to Shields’ fight request now that money has been offered.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
21 July 2025
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Anyone who witnessed the fight is asked to contact Oak Creek Officer Andrew Glaz at 414-762-8200.—
Jack Albright,
jsonline.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Which is why policy analysts are scratching their heads about what exactly lies behind the escalating border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
25 July 2025
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The Thai Health Ministry said 15 civilians and one soldier had been killed and 46 civilians and 15 soldiers wounded in the clashes since Thursday.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Ahead of his visit to Republican stronghold South Carolina, U.S. Representative Ro Khanna spoke with Newsweek on the battle plan for Democrats to compete in pro-Trump districts in next year's midterms.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
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The injuries that eventually cut the third baseman’s career short began to take hold right before Forde lost a years-long battle with breast cancer.—
Abbey Mastracco,
Hartford Courant,
19 July 2025
Verb
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My breathing was labored—short and ragged inhales, long faint exhales.—
Amie Barrodale,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
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Nobody knows what to expect from Waller, but the same can, and should be said about this Dolphins team, which has labored all offseason to course correct the team’s culture.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Waiting there for us was Rhubarb the python snake, who's a member of the zoo's animal ambassador program, which means she was selected to help promote the zoo's conservation efforts and represent her species.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
23 July 2025
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Additionally, integrating agentic AI requires significant initial effort, including connecting diverse ticketing systems, unifying data silos and training models on historical case data.—
Varun Milind Kulkarni,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
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The skirmish left the mother of Jones' child with a black eye.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
18 July 2025
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The skirmish has thrust into the public eye a falling-out between two political heavyweights once seen as close allies.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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