struggles

NOUN

hard try; fight to win

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attempt battle clash combat conflict contest effort encounter endeavor skirmish strife trial work

STRONG

brush essay exertion free-for-all grind hassle jam jump labor pains roughhouse row scramble set-to striving toil tussle undertaking wrangle

WEAK

long haul

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accord agreement calm idleness laziness peace retreat success surrender truce

STRONG

entertainment fun

WEAK

giving in

VERB

labor, work

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cope seek strive tackle toil try

STRONG

assay attempt dig endeavor grind hassle hustle offer plug scratch slave strain sweat undertake

WEAK

bend over backwards break one's back break one's neck exert oneself give it one's best shot give the old college try go all out have one's nose to grindstone make every effort plug away take a crack take a stab take on try one's hardest work like a dog

Antonyms

STRONGEST

forget idle neglect

STRONG

be lazy ignore laze procrastinate withhold

WEAK

rest surrender yield

VERB

fight, wrestle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compete contend grapple

STRONG

battle brawl buck contest hassle romp rough-house row scrap scuffle shuffle slug smack tangle

WEAK

bump heads cross swords go up against lock horns put up a fight

Antonyms

STRONG

agree concur make peace

WEAK

idle laze rest surrender yield

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Like a mood ring, Rothko subtly chronicled his ambitions and mental health struggles through his works, which span from the 1930s to his death in 1970.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Citi is keeping its outlook for oil prices elevated, with physical supply struggles expected to be a factor in negotiations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

A $1.3 billion portfolio write-down resulted from borrower struggles and underperforming 2021 second lien and junior debt deals.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

But dig deeper and the mask represents her struggles with mental health and self-image.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

He slams the stop button on the treadmill, the machine halting abruptly as he spins around to face me, fixing his nose cannula as he struggles to catch his breath.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott