struggled; struggling
ˈstrə-g(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition
struggling with the problem
2
: to proceed with difficulty or with great effort
struggled through the high grass
struggling to make a living
2
: a violent effort or exertion : an act of strongly motivated striving
a struggle to make ends meet
3
: tussle sense 1
during the struggle the gun went off
Examples of struggle in a Sentence
Verb
He has been struggling with the problem of how to keep good workers from leaving.
They struggled for the right to vote.
She struggled up the hill through the snow.
She struggled to lift the package by herself, but it was too heavy.
He struggled to get free of the wreckage.
He's been struggling in math class for most of the year.
The team has continued to struggle in recent weeks.
He was living as a struggling artist in the city.
Noun
the struggle for civil rights
There was a struggle for the gun.
There was no sign of a struggle.
It was a struggle getting out of bed this morning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andy Swift, TVLine, 23 Mar. 2025
Red Bull struggled, and Liam Lawson is under scrutiny after another poor race weekend.
—Patrick Iversen, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Tim Casey, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
And for those wondering: Yes, despite her struggles Gay would still love to be a full-time actress.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
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.
Verb
Of course, Maddie isn’t the only one struggling this week.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 23 Mar. 2025
Red Bull struggled, and Liam Lawson is under scrutiny after another poor race weekend.
—Patrick Iversen, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
The past year hasn’t always been easy for the family, starting with Kentucky’s loss in the first round last March and continuing through the move to Arkansas and the Razorbacks’ struggles early in the season.
—Tim Casey, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
And for those wondering: Yes, despite her struggles Gay would still love to be a full-time actress.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for struggle
Cite this Entry
“Struggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/struggle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
struggle
2 of 2 noun1
: fight entry 2 sense 1a, contest
a power struggle
2
: a violent or strenuous effort or exertion
a struggle to make ends meet
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share