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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of struggles
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
He was sacked six times by a team that struggles to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Co-written by Reiner’s son, Nick, there are parts of Being Charlie that feel almost uncomfortable as Charlie struggles with an enabling mother and a father who is always away (running for governor of California in the movie, rather than directing movies in real life).
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Jeremiah struggles to make peace with Conrad and accept his new circumstances.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 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
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
The Chrisleys took in Chloe amidst Kyle’s legal issues and struggles with substance abuse.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Production shutdowns, layoffs BrightDrop's struggles come less than a year after GM folded the commercial vans into its Chevrolet brand in a bid to boost its performance as GM tries to gain ground against competitors, including Ford and Rivian, in the electric van space.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The first-half struggles were especially an issue and kept Ohio in the game, while there wasn’t one sole issue holding the Buckeyes back.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the Brit had been open about his struggles with alcohol, drugs and depression.
—Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
The publisher has rebounded from its mid-2010s struggles.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
Odighizuwa said watching his mother’s struggles and strength inspired him to want to help others in the same situation.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
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
Moura sees echoes between his country’s recent struggles and the United States’ own democratic challenges.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
In recent decades, as China has laid down vast networks of high-speed rail and thrown up shimmering cities, Americans have developed a deepening sense that their own country struggles to get things done.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
He was sacked six times by a team that struggles to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Co-written by Reiner’s son, Nick, there are parts of Being Charlie that feel almost uncomfortable as Charlie struggles with an enabling mother and a father who is always away (running for governor of California in the movie, rather than directing movies in real life).
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Jeremiah struggles to make peace with Conrad and accept his new circumstances.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 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
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
The Chrisleys took in Chloe amidst Kyle’s legal issues and struggles with substance abuse.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
Girls in particular report drops in confidence, disrupted sleep, and heavier struggles with mental health.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Production shutdowns, layoffs BrightDrop's struggles come less than a year after GM folded the commercial vans into its Chevrolet brand in a bid to boost its performance as GM tries to gain ground against competitors, including Ford and Rivian, in the electric van space.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The first-half struggles were especially an issue and kept Ohio in the game, while there wasn’t one sole issue holding the Buckeyes back.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the Brit had been open about his struggles with alcohol, drugs and depression.
—Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
The publisher has rebounded from its mid-2010s struggles.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
Odighizuwa said watching his mother’s struggles and strength inspired him to want to help others in the same situation.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
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
Moura sees echoes between his country’s recent struggles and the United States’ own democratic challenges.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Sep. 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
-
Despite the glitz and glam of her showbiz career, Sweeney strives to keep her feet on the ground amid her growing It Girl status.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
An assertive Iran has been especially a thorn in the side of Saudi Arabia, which strives to be the dominant Muslim majority power in the region.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The musical battles in K-Popped did require them to compete against each other.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Years of lobbying and court battles by the LGBTQ community have achieved a few successes over the past decade.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At least 22 police officers were injured during the clashes, a spokesperson for Spain’s National Police told CNN.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Shots fired in San Bernardino, spike strips in Van Nuys, and clashes in Santa Ana highlight a rise in confrontations between immigration agents and civilians — a trend experts warn is intensifying across Southern California.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
During his over five-decade career, Lawler was part of many iconic rivalries against the likes of Bret Hart, Kerry Von Erich, Terry Funk, Andy Kaufman, and much more.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
No doubt, rivalries and disagreements still exist.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Whereas large investors once uniformly supported settlements to avoid costly fights, some now argue that quick capitulations undermine shareholder democracy and give too much power to activists.—
Kai Liekefett,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The 6-foot-6 defenseman decisively won his fights.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 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
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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
-
When Williams’ case was sent to DOAH, Citron filed a motion requesting, among other things, that DOAH Judge Todd Resavage disclose any potential conflicts.—
Mario Ariza,
ProPublica,
15 Sep. 2025
-
On closer inspection, however, activist fund principals often face irreconcilable conflicts.—
Kai Liekefett,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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