STRUGGLE Synonyms: 208 Similar and Opposite Words

struggle 1 of 2

verb

ˈstrə-gəl

Definition of struggle

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

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

struggle

2 of 2

noun

as in fight

a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective a performer's long struggle to achieve success

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truce

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

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 struggle

Verb

The ever-growing list has left even American corporate giants like Ford struggling to keep up. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026 North Carolina also struggled to get anything going on the ground (77 yards on 23 carries). — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Noun

Rodgers entered the night one victory shy of tying Tom Brady’s record of 14 Thursday night wins, while Pittsburgh’s road struggles against AFC North opponents continued as the Steelers fell to 0-10 in such games. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Any further struggles from here for USC’s defense could spiral in a hurry. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for struggle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggle

Verb

Almost sounds silly now, with the way the team has stumbled and bumbled its way through the first four games.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Of the seven clubs that had 14 or more players from their organizations appear in the WBC, several stumbled early and only the Phillies and Brewers made the postseason.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumble

Noun

In July, the music artist and producer spent some solo time after getting into a prison fight, sources told TMZ and NBC News.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence, Smithsonian leaders are turning to AI to better understand items in its collection tied to the fight that led to the country’s founding.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

Chinese media reported that PLA forces deployed Type 99A main battle tanks alongside drones, uncrewed ground vehicles and helicopters.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Alabama and Mississippi State battle, and Underdog is offering new users a chance to use promo code FOXNEWS to earn up to $100 in bonus bets on a $5 wager.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel, who ripped off their rivalry bit from Fred Allen and Jack Benny!

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
At least for one day, one of the league’s great rivalries returns — with Kansas City remaining undefeated into its early bye.

— Pete Sweeney October 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

Jaylen Wright labored all week, fighting his way back from a foot injury that sidelined him the previous game.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
With the Dodgers’ lead cut to one run, Skubal labored through the rest of the sixth inning, issuing a pair of walks, his first of the game.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of labor

Noun

For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines while in the Legislature for leading California’s efforts to enact strict school vaccine laws.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of effort

Noun

After spending some time playing in a (very cool) makeshift stadium on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Northwestern Wildcats finally christened the new Ryan Field in an important Big Ten clash with Penn State.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
The Buffs and the Blue Raiders are undefeated in district play and will face off in a high-stakes Week 7 clash.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of clash

Browse Nearby Words

structuring

struggle

struggled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggle. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of struggle

verb

noun

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