struggle
verb (used without object)
to contend with an adversary or opposing force.
was struggling
-
past progressiveof struggle.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Although the Spanish singer is now one of the most acclaimed artists of her generation, in 2018 she was struggling to support herself.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
What would have been a grueling process for most was an escape for Dieffenbach, who was struggling through the most adverse time in his life: his mother’s bout with breast cancer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
The second of these strikes on Thursday caused Yandex, often referred to as Russia's Google, to announce it was struggling to maintain its services.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Sebastian Guggolz, head of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, said the book trade was struggling with what approach to take.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
How could Finn understand this, when Emma was struggling herself?
From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
