1
as in stumbled
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 labored
to devote serious and sustained effort
the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of struggled
The promotion remains the sport’s undeniable leader, but has struggled to find a new generation of mainstream stars since Rousey and Conor McGregor in the 2010s.
—
Mark Puleo, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Advertisement Two more moderate candidates, state senator Sharif Street and pediatric surgeon Ala Stanford, split votes and struggled to catch fire.
—Julia Terruso, Time, 20 May 2026
Chicago struggled to get things going early against Mariners starter Bryce Miller, who threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.
—CBS News, 20 May 2026
The brand has struggled for years, even during the long tenure of its star designer Sarah Burton, who succeeded founder Lee Alexander McQueen after his death in 2010.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
Game one wasn’t great for the Cavaliers across the board, as Schroder struggled as well in 18 minutes.
—Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
When Petco Park played very large through its first eight years, several of the club’s hitters struggled to stay afloat.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
During her weekslong trial, friends of Richinses described how the couple had moments of material strife and struggled with infidelity.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Just like its sibling location off 10th and Metropolitan, the new village will house people who have consistently struggled to find secure housing and mental health care.
—Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Mark Puleo, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Advertisement Two more moderate candidates, state senator Sharif Street and pediatric surgeon Ala Stanford, split votes and struggled to catch fire.
—Julia Terruso, Time, 20 May 2026
Chicago struggled to get things going early against Mariners starter Bryce Miller, who threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.
—CBS News, 20 May 2026
The brand has struggled for years, even during the long tenure of its star designer Sarah Burton, who succeeded founder Lee Alexander McQueen after his death in 2010.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
Game one wasn’t great for the Cavaliers across the board, as Schroder struggled as well in 18 minutes.
—Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
When Petco Park played very large through its first eight years, several of the club’s hitters struggled to stay afloat.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
During her weekslong trial, friends of Richinses described how the couple had moments of material strife and struggled with infidelity.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Just like its sibling location off 10th and Metropolitan, the new village will house people who have consistently struggled to find secure housing and mental health care.
—Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggled
Verb
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Love Island had shifted what had previously been an unshakable self-identification and stumbled into comic profundity.—
Anna Peele,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
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The Dodgers might have stumbled upon a way to keep Shohei Ohtani performing well on the mound and at the plate this season.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Kreider, who dealt with injuries last season with the New York Rangers, has labored.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
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The residents labored in a lead smelter near the mountain's base and worked on the project for nearly a decade, until it was completed in 1940.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The White Sox slugger worked a 1-1 count by taking a pair of pitches away.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
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Instead of being found by quick switches of play, Grimaldo and Frimpong would often become involved in moves higher up the pitch after the ball had worked its way through Alonso’s midfield box (consisting of the two deeper midfielders and two No 10s).—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Johnson for months endeavored to appoint his ally ex-Ald.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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Along the way, Pollan endeavored to find answers to some of the most fundamental questions of existence, like why is there a subjective self at all?—
Nick Hilden,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Defenseman Logan Stanley was also out of the lineup because of an injury, and Sam Carrick tried to return too quickly from his injury.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Stephen Colbert in 2016 tried to bring together a nation that was coming apart.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Struggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggled. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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