as in failing
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1
as in stumbling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in striving
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggling
Alex Lehnert, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 1 June 2026
Hezbollah's use of hard-to-detect fiber optic drones has been deadly for the Israeli military, which is struggling to respond.
—Arkansas Online, 31 May 2026
But the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is still struggling to provide service.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
But during his rapid rise in Hollywood, McCarthy was also struggling with alcoholism, a battle that eventually led him to seek treatment in the ’90s.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
The American people are struggling.
—NBC news, 31 May 2026
Such records have drawn the interest of some people whose families are struggling with depression, suicide or other issues.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
But perhaps a move to the bullpen could help his performance and a team that is struggling to earn wins.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Energy assistance offices are increasingly hearing from middle-income families who are struggling to pay their power bills.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 23 May 2026
Adjective
Their goal is to release them back into the wild to help restore struggling populations.
—Alex Lehnert, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
After more than five innings of the Bulldogs trailing Liberty by one, struggling to get anything going, the Georgia third baseman crushed a two-run home run to left field.
—Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 1 June 2026
Hezbollah's use of hard-to-detect fiber optic drones has been deadly for the Israeli military, which is struggling to respond.
—Arkansas Online, 31 May 2026
But the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is still struggling to provide service.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
But during his rapid rise in Hollywood, McCarthy was also struggling with alcoholism, a battle that eventually led him to seek treatment in the ’90s.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
The American people are struggling.
—NBC news, 31 May 2026
Such records have drawn the interest of some people whose families are struggling with depression, suicide or other issues.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
But perhaps a move to the bullpen could help his performance and a team that is struggling to earn wins.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Energy assistance offices are increasingly hearing from middle-income families who are struggling to pay their power bills.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggling
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This includes people who do not know each other and who did not coordinate with one another to gather all somehow separately, hearing about Manhattanhenge (or simply stumbling across the crowd) and enjoying the view together.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
-
The video then shows Henderson stumbling towards a wall in the area, where someone can be seen calling for help.—
Brittney Ermon,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The multi-million dollar production process on this asset alone showcases the level of detail that Xbox is striving to achieve with this game, according to Activision chief marketing officer Tyler Bahl.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
28 May 2026
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As for the Cavaliers, their partnership with The Realest involves both organizations striving to achieve two goals.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Russia’s spring offensive is floundering as Ukraine’s midrange drone strikes disrupt its rear supply lines, according to the Institute for the Study of War.—
Susie Blann,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
-
France’s floundering President Emmanuel Macron isn’t doing much better.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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With evacuation shelters reaching capacity as more than 40,000 people were asked to leave their homes, officials laboring to prevent an explosion at a crippled chemical tank in Garden Grove reported tentative progress Sunday in ending the crisis.—
Deborah Netburn,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
Makar has played in every game this postseason, but was clearly laboring in Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.—
Tom MacCubbin,
orlandosentinel.com,
6 Mar. 2021
-
In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
15 May 2020
Verb
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Advocacy is rising in a similar fashion around AI with initiatives like the No Fakes Act, a bill championed by SAG-AFTRA and others in Hollywood that is is working its way through Congress.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
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Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand have been working together in the last week at the site in a rugged area in the central province of Xaisomboun, about 75 miles north of the capital, Vientiane.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggling. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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