STRUGGLED Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

struggled

verb

past tense of struggle

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

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as in labored

to devote serious and sustained effort the financially strapped couple struggled to make ends meet

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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 struggled Salas struggled offensively throughout 2024, missed almost all of 2025 because of a stress reaction in his back and plummeted on prospect lists as a result. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Cuba’s daily grind takes its toll The day before classes started, Yurima Izaguirre struggled to pull up last year’s school uniform on the youngest of her three children. — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 In the same interview, Jake mentioned his parents’ love for Nick, 32, who had struggled with his mental health. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026 The day before classes started, Yurima Izaguirre struggled to pull up last year’s school uniform on the youngest of her three children. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 All while ignoring the many examples of other big schools, like the Florida Gators, that have struggled to fill seats for noon games in August. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Nasdaq-100 futures led the way lower for stocks, losing more than 1% as tech struggled. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 For decades, America’s dietitians have struggled against low salaries, the product of a system in which preventive care, including nutrition, is undervalued. — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026 In his second year as a head coach, Tyler Marsh once again struggled to cement a clear playing identity. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggled

Verb

But most of the attempts to scale sodium-ion cells stumbled over short lifespans and poor heat tolerance.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
In her attempt to get away, the woman stumbled and injured her leg, screaming for help the whole time, police said.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumbled

Verb

Unlike the repeatability of CNC production, each Eagle & Summit is individually worked by experienced engraving artisans directly on the titanium surface.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
The couple bid $5 million, and worked with Central Bank to put in their $10 million total bid.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of worked

Verb

Whatever people think of the film, it was endeavored to be made with purely with the process at its heart.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026
Italy’s defense ministry transferred ownership to the town of Affi in 2018, and in 2022 the University of Florence endeavored on a study to map the bunker’s expansive reach.

— Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of endeavored

Verb

Paul Robinson appeared in court along with former Penn State students, where preliminary hearings took place ahead of a Centre County judge ruling that Robinson and five former students would have their cases tried in county court.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
The patients had all previously tried other therapies with little to no success and had mutations in RAS proteins, which can drive tumor growth.

— Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of tried

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struggle

struggled

struggles

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“Struggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggled. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of struggled

verb

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