STRUGGLES Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

struggles 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of struggle

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

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as in strives

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

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struggles

2 of 2

noun

plural of struggle

as in battles

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truces

as in rivalries

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 struggles

Verb

Deep in the Pyrenees mountains, a young man, Miquel, struggles in the wake of his mother’s death in a snowstorm — a tragic event that was at the center of Tóibín’s 2006 novella, A Long Winter. — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Starring Weber Yang and Chang Shih Ying (Yen And Ai-Lee), the film depicts a grieving family that struggles to recover from a fragile relationship after an unexpected tragic accident. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 In terms of the competitive landscape surrounding K-beauty and Western brands, Cowman argues that where the latter struggles to compete is the value proposition that the Korean brands are delivering fast. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 But flatter work, especially photography and illusionistic painting, struggles to hold its position against the building’s insistent materiality. — Katy Barkan, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 As William Jewell College struggles with the sudden death of a football player who collapsed on the sidelines Saturday, students have taken time to share their feelings on paper. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026 Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Tariff refunds have muddied retailers' earnings reports in recent weeks as Wall Street struggles to parse through the confusion. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 But there is something else tied to his Jewish heritage that keeps things in perspective — the struggles his grandmother went through escaping liquidation at the hand of the Nazis in her Polish hometown. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Las Vegas struggles to generate second chances without her on the court. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

The criticism instead centers on the significant advantages that enormous family wealth can provide, including time, training and the freedom to pursue a creative career without the financial struggles many developing artists face. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Isaiah explains that sharing their pregnancy losses and fertility struggles publicly felt like their purpose. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026 The struggles contributed to growing frustration among portions of UCLA’s fan and donor base. — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Interviews will include new behind-the-scenes details about his personal life and private struggles. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026 Woodward has since decided to speak out about his struggles around a topic that many still find taboo. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026 Two yearshave passed since then, and the country has faced agonizing struggles to achieve recovery andfinally return to normalcy. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 The Dodgers don’t yet plan to set up a platoon with Teoscar Hernández in left field, Roberts said, despite his struggles against right-handed pitching. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The goal is to put all her personal and professional struggles in an upcoming documentary. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for struggles

Verb

In the movie, the two actors first cross paths when Ledger’s character stumbles upon Bettany, who is fully naked, strolling through the streets after losing his clothes and money from gambling.

— Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026
Shortly after, a young man stumbles towards Pat from the direction of the pub, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

— Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumbles

Verb

This is all while Venus in Libra strives for justice, balance, cooperation and relationships that feel mutually considerate.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026
Chesney called Martin an unbelievable leader and said that his energy will give people a window into what his program strives to look like.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of strives

Noun

The policy updates come amid the slew of ongoing legal battles by players who were originally part of the 2022 high school recruiting class seeking a fifth year of collegiate eligibility.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Then came battles with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

— Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
He had been expected to leave by the end of the year, but clashes with Hegseth on things like the ouster of top Army officers played a role in his decision to depart, a source familiar with the dynamic told Semafor.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of clashes

Verb

Thoroughly unimpressed by her suburban idyll, and evidently unmoved by her responsibilities as wife and mother, Denise labors in her basement on a novel whose protagonist wishes to forsake her family for a life in New York.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.

— Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026

Definition of labors

Noun

Its outcome will be a major milestone in the decades-long political skirmishes over CEQA.

— Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026
In 1988, for instance, Khomeini finally agreed to end his war with Iraq after the United States began engaging Iranian naval ships in direct skirmishes, leading him to fear that Reagan might formally align with Saddam Hussein’s regime.

— Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of skirmishes

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“Struggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/struggles. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of struggles

verb

noun

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