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 clash
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 battle
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
Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Four years on from the chaotic withdrawal of American and NATO troops, Afghanistan is struggling to stay afloat.
—Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 22 July 2025
If it were made 50 years ago, audiences would no doubt have seen parallels with the Vietnam War, or any of a number of post-colonial struggles.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Verb
The confident executive who once commanded boardrooms may struggle with basic introductions at community events.
—Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Four years on from the chaotic withdrawal of American and NATO troops, Afghanistan is struggling to stay afloat.
—Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Noun
Strahm is back to himself again after some struggles in June.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 22 July 2025
If it were made 50 years ago, audiences would no doubt have seen parallels with the Vietnam War, or any of a number of post-colonial struggles.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle
Verb
-
Symptoms include shivering, memory loss, stumbling, confusion and sleepiness.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
-
Nonetheless, everything in Yountville is a short stroll, or stumble, from Jessup.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Even though her husband and her eldest son will one day be king, Princess Kate has strived to maintain a sense of normalcy at home.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
22 July 2025
-
These dishes have to be perfect, even in their simplicity, and there’s something exciting about striving for that.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
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At one point during the fight, Jose punched Pamela in the face.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Park previously had a fight scheduled on Aug. 9 against ex-world title challenger and No. 10 flyweight Steve Erceg.—
Aaron Tolentino,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Which is why policy analysts are scratching their heads about what exactly lies behind the escalating border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
25 July 2025
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The Thai Health Ministry said 15 civilians and one soldier had been killed and 46 civilians and 15 soldiers wounded in the clashes since Thursday.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
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There is a battle shaping up for the fourth safety spot between Jefferson, rookie RJ Mickens and Kendall Williamson.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
-
Some have been centered around critical positional battles while others have been about player holdouts turning into player hold-ins.—
Kambui Bomani,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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During this time, a period spanning six decades, several generations of enslaved people labored on the Perrin plantations, working around the clock to enhance his fortune.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 July 2025
-
Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic labored through 2 2/3 innings against the Guardians.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
27 July 2025
Noun
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Waiting there for us was Rhubarb the python snake, who's a member of the zoo's animal ambassador program, which means she was selected to help promote the zoo's conservation efforts and represent her species.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
23 July 2025
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Just days later, Texas emergency officials urged the public to avoid areas along the Guadalupe River, where floods killed more than 100 people, warning that disaster tourism could hinder rescue efforts.—
Lila Hempel-Edgers
July 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
This is the third bench-clearing skirmish for the Angels this season, though none has resulted in ejections.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
-
That’s right, the first camp skirmish pitted a pair of rookies, tackle Josh Simmons and interior defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott, with Simmons appearing to land a right-handed blow to Norman-Lott’s helmet.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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