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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strives
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggles
Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
Loose ends and compelling payoffs await after a subdued and slow-ish first frame that struggles with a balance between dark brooding and uneven lull.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The mass exodus comes as the GOP struggles to maintain its razor-thin majority in the lower chamber.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2026
The effort to provide some relief comes as Congress struggles to find a compromise to end the stalemate.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
John is, as ever, at ease in front of the cameras, while Carolyn struggles to maintain composure.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
As Saskia becomes consumed by these visions, Alex fears for her mother’s sanity and struggles to keep her grounded.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
In Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 film Modern Times, a factory worker struggles to keep pace with an ever-accelerating assembly line—until the machine swallows him whole.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
But some midseason struggles, and a shoulder injury kept him from establishing himself as a rookie starter.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026
Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
His comeback concert follows years of headline-grabbing controversies, mental health struggles, and his public apology in a Wall Street Journal ad this past January for his antisemitic remarks.
—Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The acclaimed artist has been candid about her struggles with cocaine and alcohol addiction and often explores those struggles in her lyrics.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Also, UConn had some early struggles against North Carolina and Notre Dame before pulling away later.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The national team’s struggles are a symptom of a wider problem in Italian soccer.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The Trueba family’s passions, struggles, and secrets span a century of violent social change, culminating in a crisis that hurls the proud, tyrannical patriarch and his beloved granddaughter towards opposite sides of the fence.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Jac Caglianone is back after some rookie-year struggles, though those struggles were only at the big-league level.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
Loose ends and compelling payoffs await after a subdued and slow-ish first frame that struggles with a balance between dark brooding and uneven lull.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The mass exodus comes as the GOP struggles to maintain its razor-thin majority in the lower chamber.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2026
The effort to provide some relief comes as Congress struggles to find a compromise to end the stalemate.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
John is, as ever, at ease in front of the cameras, while Carolyn struggles to maintain composure.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
As Saskia becomes consumed by these visions, Alex fears for her mother’s sanity and struggles to keep her grounded.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
In Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 film Modern Times, a factory worker struggles to keep pace with an ever-accelerating assembly line—until the machine swallows him whole.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
But some midseason struggles, and a shoulder injury kept him from establishing himself as a rookie starter.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
The committee will share the information with parents and staff on which campuses would be closed and more details on consolidation amid increasing financial struggles.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026
Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
His comeback concert follows years of headline-grabbing controversies, mental health struggles, and his public apology in a Wall Street Journal ad this past January for his antisemitic remarks.
—Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The acclaimed artist has been candid about her struggles with cocaine and alcohol addiction and often explores those struggles in her lyrics.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Also, UConn had some early struggles against North Carolina and Notre Dame before pulling away later.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The national team’s struggles are a symptom of a wider problem in Italian soccer.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The Trueba family’s passions, struggles, and secrets span a century of violent social change, culminating in a crisis that hurls the proud, tyrannical patriarch and his beloved granddaughter towards opposite sides of the fence.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Jac Caglianone is back after some rookie-year struggles, though those struggles were only at the big-league level.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles
Verb
-
Bleeding heavily, Waaler stumbles into a corridor and slowly takes his last breath as Hole, who jumped out at the floor above and ran back downstairs, watches, gun in hand.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
-
If the student stumbles, the AI agent gives them clues, along with criticism and positive feedback.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a world of jaded billionaires, psychiatrist-gurus, bio-hacked tech bros, AI labs and disillusioned teens being optimized in elite private schools, an audacious data-mining CEO (Magnussen) strives to turn insight and influence into profit and power.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Castlery is a direct-to-consumer furniture brand that strives to offer high-end and well-made yet fairly affordable furniture, and the Desmond chair is a testament to that.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, groups like the nonpartisan Latino Victory Project, which focuses on developing Hispanic political leadership, said this current moment should not distract from the still-ongoing civil rights battles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Understandably, some gamers may be skeptical or even alarmed, given the ethical issues and legal battles surrounding generative AI.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Videos from the scene showed clashes and even a man with a gun in one town.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In Dallas, clashes erupted between No Kings marchers and counter-protesters.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Others are places of conflict caused by rivalries between countries or peoples, disputes over national resources, or disagreements about the past.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If festive pride persists, it is no longer connected to a country, empire, culture, or race, but the unique traditions of individual municipalities, pitted against one another in fierce but friendly, sportsmanlike rivalries.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Others dropped re-election bids following redistricting fights that scrambled political maps and would have forced them to campaign in new districts.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
While still being finalized, the card features two championship fights.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With billions of dollars at stake, the conflicts manifest in sharp skirmishes in the Legislature, in courts and in the ballot measure arena.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In a dangerous escalation from cross-border skirmishes, Pakistan launched air strikes at the end of February, targeting major cities including Kabul.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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