1
as in to stumble
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to strive
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 fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
a performer's long struggle to achieve success
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2
as in battle
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
there was a struggle between the armed robber and the shopkeeper, and the gun went off
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3
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
her staunchest supporters in her struggle for the office
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggle
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
McManus saved the day with a terrific final 11 games in 2024, but the veteran struggled in 2025 leading to his eventual release.
—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
5 July 2026
Lusane uses the White House as a prism through which to view African American history and civil rights struggle.
—
Melia Patria,
ABC News,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Verb
Ten years ago, June Diane Raphael — a lifelong brunette — was struggling with auditions.
—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
McManus saved the day with a terrific final 11 games in 2024, but the veteran struggled in 2025 leading to his eventual release.
—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Noun
As with their game against Ghana, this wasn’t easy going for England, who initially had their struggles breaking Panama down.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
5 July 2026
Lusane uses the White House as a prism through which to view African American history and civil rights struggle.
—
Melia Patria,
ABC News,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
Verb
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Scientists have stumbled on a rare dinosaur fossil from Antarctica, tucked away for decades in a drawer.
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However, Portugal stumbled in its opening match, managing only a 1–1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Verb
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When technology lowers the cost of doing something, companies always strive to do more.
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For example, business functions strive for growth, while development teams focus on functionality.
Noun
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What is clear is that centrist Democrats haven’t mounted much of a fight.
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Railing against a new crop of progressive candidates has emerged as a more animating focus for a president who thrills to a fight.
Noun
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True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
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There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.
Noun
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The Pride and Angel City have established a fierce rivalry in their short history.
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Spain and Portugal renew their historic rivalry, with Lamine Yamal and Cristiano Ronaldo in contrasting lights.
Verb
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On the same pitch earlier, South Africa labored past Bangladesh by four wickets and waited for India's fate.
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In the days since posting the news, Mitchell has continued to update her followers about the aftermath and the start of the healing process, including videos of herself laboring.
Noun
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But the effort was set aside after the onset of COVID-19, which caused massive disruptions across the Los Angeles Unified School District, said Michael Trujillo, a political strategist for Gonez.
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Both countries have stepped up efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold international law in the strait, including hosting a summit with 51 other nations in April.
Noun
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But Kubo hasn’t played since suffering a meniscus tear in Japan’s opener against the Netherlands, and yesterday he was ruled out for the Brazil clash.
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At the heart of the clash is how to manage wild horse populations that can reproduce at a rapid clip.
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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