1
as in stumbles
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 strives
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 battles
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
a performer's long struggle to achieve success
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in clashes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
there was a struggle between the armed robber and the shopkeeper, and the gun went off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
her staunchest supporters in her struggle for the office
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggles
Howard Megdal, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Ansari’s main idea was to show the gig economy, and those stuck on the lower end of the economic scale’s struggles just to say alive.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
If Wilson struggles early, Jameis Winston and Jaxson Dart are also options.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Now a private first class stationed at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, Aubin still struggles with his weight and staying within the Army's body fat requirements.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
Just as Kevin can’t communicate with his ex and son, the town of Paradise struggles to send out official evacuation orders and the Cal Fire team tasked with taking on the fire (led by a wonderful Yul Vasquez as fire chief Ray Martinez) are reduced to screaming radio chatter.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
At the bottom is my backup lover, Toby, who struggles making his fillings and has to make them again.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The allowance, introduced last year, is almost 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta and 20 times the minimum wage in poorer regions, as Indonesia struggles with a cost-of-living crisis.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
The Chrisleys took in Chloe amidst Kyle’s legal issues and struggles with substance abuse.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Fall in Michigan means less and less daylight as the season goes on and for many that signals the start of seasonal mental health struggles, though coping strategies can help, experts say.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Moura sees echoes between his country’s recent struggles and the United States’ own democratic challenges.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Apple’s struggles with iPhone models in different years Apple has struggled in recent years to find a fourth iPhone model that resonates as strongly as the standard, Pro and Pro Max.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
My own experience, and my wife’s sacrifice, gave me empathy for those with financial struggles.
—Brian Walsh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
The key to his performance is empathy — Early resists mocking Maddie or her struggles at every turn.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Despite this, she was told her struggles were likely psychological.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
New Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 but logistical struggles have kept it from being a serious contender.
—Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
But if a team struggles to run the ball or pass the ball, the head coach is left to praise… the kicking game.
—Howard Megdal, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Ansari’s main idea was to show the gig economy, and those stuck on the lower end of the economic scale’s struggles just to say alive.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
If Wilson struggles early, Jameis Winston and Jaxson Dart are also options.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Now a private first class stationed at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, Aubin still struggles with his weight and staying within the Army's body fat requirements.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
Just as Kevin can’t communicate with his ex and son, the town of Paradise struggles to send out official evacuation orders and the Cal Fire team tasked with taking on the fire (led by a wonderful Yul Vasquez as fire chief Ray Martinez) are reduced to screaming radio chatter.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
At the bottom is my backup lover, Toby, who struggles making his fillings and has to make them again.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The allowance, introduced last year, is almost 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta and 20 times the minimum wage in poorer regions, as Indonesia struggles with a cost-of-living crisis.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
The Chrisleys took in Chloe amidst Kyle’s legal issues and struggles with substance abuse.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
Before welcoming William, the couple endured a six-year-long road to parenthood that included health issues for each of them in addition to their fertility struggles.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Fall in Michigan means less and less daylight as the season goes on and for many that signals the start of seasonal mental health struggles, though coping strategies can help, experts say.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Moura sees echoes between his country’s recent struggles and the United States’ own democratic challenges.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Apple’s struggles with iPhone models in different years Apple has struggled in recent years to find a fourth iPhone model that resonates as strongly as the standard, Pro and Pro Max.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
My own experience, and my wife’s sacrifice, gave me empathy for those with financial struggles.
—Brian Walsh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
The key to his performance is empathy — Early resists mocking Maddie or her struggles at every turn.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Despite this, she was told her struggles were likely psychological.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
New Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 but logistical struggles have kept it from being a serious contender.
—Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles
Verb
-
As first reported by Deadline, the plot follows a boy who stumbles upon a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music, after which a hidden door to the extraordinary swings open.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The trio stumbles upon a crucial piece of evidence - and promptly compromises it.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Now retired, Andra loved her job working for the federal government and strives to make a difference in the world around her.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The brand strives to offer a premium denim look at prices more accessible than other premium denim brands.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As a smart two-way player who can win board battles and create offense off the rush, Celebrini’s game translated extremely favorably to the pro ranks.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Launched in 2003, this sci-fi MMORPG has played host to epic spaceship battles and intergalactic heists on a scale that most other multiplayer games can only dream of.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thailand has been in political turmoil since, ever since deadly border clashes with Cambodian forces.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, his mercurial style and public controversies, from social media firestorms to clashes with regulators, have brought volatility to Tesla’s stock and reputation.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still one of the NFL’s nastiest division rivalries, the game was full of skirmishes and a near-costly unnecessary roughness penalty late in the third against the Eagles that put the Cowboys in position to take the lead.—
Dan Gelston,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Premiering in 2011, the edgy comedy follows Annie Walker (Kristen Wiig) as her life unravels while serving as maid of honor for her best friend Lillian Donovan (Maya Rudolph), leading to a string of wedding planning mishaps and bridal party rivalries.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But Republicans’ long-running internal fights over how to handle health insurance coverage are far from settled, and party leaders are not eager to take a firm stance.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Trump has attended several other high-profile sporting events in 2025, including Super Bowl LIX, the Daytona 500, and multiple UFC fights.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still one of the NFL’s nastiest division rivalries, the game was full of skirmishes and a near-costly unnecessary roughness penalty late in the third against the Eagles that put the Cowboys in position to take the lead.—
Dan Gelston,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Ideological skirmishes over the motives and obligations of Carpenter’s music include both sincere interrogation of its feminism and smirking counteractive reprisals to that scrutiny.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The multibillion-dollar deal brings an end to legal conflicts that captured global attention and cements a clear future for the companies at the center of American and international news.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The laboratory also stressed the need for resilience against electronic warfare, particularly GPS jamming and spoofing, which have become common tactics in modern conflicts.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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