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
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
For example, prior to May, Tesla's Australia sales struggled amid reports of vandalism and protests related to Musk's work with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and support for far-right parties in Europe.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 4 June 2025
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Goldberg emphasized the struggle to balance his warrior mentality with his body's current limitations, especially during Muay Thai training.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
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Verb
Both players have struggled with runners in scoring position this season, but that wasn’t the case Tuesday.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
For example, prior to May, Tesla's Australia sales struggled amid reports of vandalism and protests related to Musk's work with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and support for far-right parties in Europe.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 4 June 2025
Noun
Spade's death on June 5, 2018, stunned the fashion world, highlighting the silent struggles behind one of the industry's biggest names and, along with the death of Anthony Bourdain three days later, sparked a broader conversation about mental health amidst fame and success.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Goldberg emphasized the struggle to balance his warrior mentality with his body's current limitations, especially during Muay Thai training.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 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 9 Jun. 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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