struggling 1 of 2

adjective

as in failing

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struggling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of struggle
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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of struggling
Adjective
Their goal is to release them back into the wild to help restore struggling populations. — Alex Lehnert, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026 Although dozens of campuses across the district have had new principals every couple years, Licata and his staff believe this new round of hires at many of the district’s most struggling schools will be the start of major stability. — Samuel O’Neal June 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026
Verb
Ecuador finally came to the party after struggling to put away their chances in their first two games. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026 If the thermostat is working properly but the air conditioner is struggling, don't be tempted to turn down the temperature even more. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 Homeownership is increasingly out of reach, rent continues to climb and employers across our state are struggling to attract workers because housing has become too expensive. — Andy Harris, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2026 The fashion industry has been struggling in Europe and China, while seeing growth in North America, Ebner said. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 More than 770 buildings collapsed Still, many Venezuelans are struggling to hold onto hope in an increasingly desperate situation. — Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 This installment however, sees Enola insecure about proving worthy of the Holmes name, struggling to figure out her own identity while Sherlock was preoccupied. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Trump taking the country to war with Iran, in part at the urging of his pal Bibi — without any sensible plan, debate, sanction from Congress or consideration as to how this might hurt Americans already struggling to make ends meet. — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 July 2026 The rules were altered in 2004 at the urging of Algeria, which was struggling to field a competitive national team with wholly domestic players and saw dozens of better prospects from the diaspora living in France. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggling
  1. failing
  2. stumbling
  3. striving
  4. dying
  5. floundering
  6. laboring
  7. languishing
  8. working
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
Definition of failing
Verb
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also fallen foul of Germany’s World Cup elimination by Paraguay, after stumbling into a social media debacle following a communications blunder.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • There's been some stumbling plays, thwarted by tripping and dramatic falls.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026
Definition of stumbling
Verb
  • As such, Daoism maintains its complex and diverse nature well into the modern era, still striving to bring it all back into balance with the Dao.
    — Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
  • For businesses striving to compete, partnerships can become a structural advantage.
    — Yevhen Parokhod, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of striving
Adjective
  • What’s the vibe for you, post-dying?
    — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of dying
Verb
  • The opportunity to elect a Democrat has generated enthusiasm within the Utah Democratic Party in an era when sentiment for the national party is floundering.
    — Saige Miller, NPR, 22 June 2026
  • Billy Joel was floundering as a recording artist when Davis signed him in 1973.
    — Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
Definition of floundering
Verb
  • The infant had been trapped for almost three days; a team of rescuers from Fairfax, Virginia, had been laboring to reach the boy, who was nine months old, for at least six hours.
    — Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
Definition of laboring
Adjective
  • The skyway corridors with highest density sit directly atop the most languishing streetscapes, Spencer said, and vice versa.
    — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Definition of languishing
Verb
  • The government is also working with private developers, banks and the real estate sector to accelerate temporary and permanent housing solutions.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • In soccer, the line between a yellow and a red card can be subjective, depending on the referee working the game that day and his or her interpretation of the play.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of working

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struggles
struggling
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Cite this Entry

“Struggling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on struggling

Nglish: Translation of struggling for Spanish Speakers

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