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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of struggles
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Her 12-year-old son, Whitman, has autism and a neurological disorder called apraxia, in which the brain struggles to tell muscles how to move to form words or perform other motor skills.
—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Instead, the debate around China’s export surge largely centers on Europe, as the continent struggles to cohesively tackle the influx of cheap Chinese goods.
—
J.d. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
2 July 2026
But Ewers’ quick processing and knack for making bold throws could create an opening for the second-year quarterback if Willis struggles in the exhibition season.
—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
The series also struggles to settle on a consistent identity.
—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Vintage objects communicate something contemporary culture struggles to build on its own.
—
Emmanuel Olunkwa,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
Her 12-year-old son, Whitman, has autism and a neurological disorder called apraxia, in which the brain struggles to tell muscles how to move to form words or perform other motor skills.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Poopies tries to shave his face as Knoxville zaps him, and later, Steve-O struggles to tattoo a smiley face onto Holmes' nipple as he gets repeatedly buzzed.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 June 2026
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
The actress spent a few years away from Hollywood, working at a treatment center after her own struggles with substance abuse.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 July 2026
Some Southern states boycotted the fair because of financial struggles and lingering resentment.
—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
1 July 2026
McConnell’s recent health struggles McConnell has struggled publicly with his health in recent years.
—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Toronto's struggles as a team have mirrored Guerrero's disappointing production so far in his first season without Bichette.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Readers love seeing a character reclaiming her agency, finding justice, closure, or peace through her struggles.
—
Literary Hub,
1 July 2026
These are all major breakthroughs for a soccer-loving continent that had been underrepresented on the sport’s biggest stage and whose soccer success was often stymied by financial struggles and administrative corruption.
—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
But the focus stays very much on the struggles of married life.
—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Verb
During contests, their stomachs stretch, heart rates rise, and digestion struggles to keep up, causing intense physical stress.
—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Her 12-year-old son, Whitman, has autism and a neurological disorder called apraxia, in which the brain struggles to tell muscles how to move to form words or perform other motor skills.
—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Instead, the debate around China’s export surge largely centers on Europe, as the continent struggles to cohesively tackle the influx of cheap Chinese goods.
—
J.d. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
2 July 2026
But Ewers’ quick processing and knack for making bold throws could create an opening for the second-year quarterback if Willis struggles in the exhibition season.
—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
The series also struggles to settle on a consistent identity.
—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Vintage objects communicate something contemporary culture struggles to build on its own.
—
Emmanuel Olunkwa,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
Her 12-year-old son, Whitman, has autism and a neurological disorder called apraxia, in which the brain struggles to tell muscles how to move to form words or perform other motor skills.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Poopies tries to shave his face as Knoxville zaps him, and later, Steve-O struggles to tattoo a smiley face onto Holmes' nipple as he gets repeatedly buzzed.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 June 2026
Noun
And then there’s the guy that had a lot of success, and through injuries or struggles, needs to change some things and adjust some things.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
The actress spent a few years away from Hollywood, working at a treatment center after her own struggles with substance abuse.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 July 2026
Some Southern states boycotted the fair because of financial struggles and lingering resentment.
—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
1 July 2026
McConnell’s recent health struggles McConnell has struggled publicly with his health in recent years.
—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Toronto's struggles as a team have mirrored Guerrero's disappointing production so far in his first season without Bichette.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Readers love seeing a character reclaiming her agency, finding justice, closure, or peace through her struggles.
—
Literary Hub,
1 July 2026
These are all major breakthroughs for a soccer-loving continent that had been underrepresented on the sport’s biggest stage and whose soccer success was often stymied by financial struggles and administrative corruption.
—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
But the focus stays very much on the struggles of married life.
—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles
Verb
-
In it, the man stumbles around, blinded by the sun, surrounded by insensible tourists.
-
The conversation stumbles on for a few moments, but Crook can’t find the words.
Verb
-
Perusing the menu online provides insight into how truly diverse Sushi Sushi strives to be.
-
While leadership strives to accelerate AI investment, many workers, particularly in frontline and junior positions, still don’t understand how the technology will impact their daily responsibilities or long-term career paths.
Noun
-
On Friday, Putin visited the Russian military headquarters directing the action in Ukraine to receive a report on the capture of the city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of intense street battles.
-
Legal battles can discourage farmers Mora said the years-long litigation has left him feeling frustrated and defenseless.
Noun
-
But occasionally there can be personality clashes or people who other people on the trip find annoying.
-
Sistan-Baluchistan, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long seen clashes between security forces, insurgents and drug smugglers.
Noun
-
At a time when the news cycle seems to serve up nothing but conflict, crisis and woe, the World Cup offers shelter, a truly international event in which conflict is defined by long-term sports rivalries and questionable referee decisions.
-
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to pair James with Stephen Curry, which would turn one of the NBA's greatest rivalries into two of the game's greatest stars fighting for their fifth title together.
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.
Noun
-
Skoog said he was honored to receive Sayers’ endorsement, saying mayors are focused on delivering results rather than engaging in political fights.
-
For five months, sentiment ran consistently negative, dragged down by trade disputes, NATO burden-sharing fights and the general friction between Washington and European capitals.
Noun
-
Johnson brushes off the skirmishes, broadly speaking, as part of the governing process.
-
While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
Cite this Entry
“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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