struggling

The word “struggling” means having a hard time succeeding or coping, especially financially or emotionally. In plain terms, currently having a difficult time, especially trying to get by or succeed at something.

“Struggling” is pronounced STRUHG-lihng (/ˈstɹʌɡl̩ɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “struggling” used in a sentence: “The grant is aimed at struggling artists.”

“Struggling” is an adjective.

“Struggling” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Struggling means having a hard time succeeding or coping, but still making an effort and not yet defeated. Failing means actually not succeeding or falling short of a standard. Someone who is struggling is fighting to stay afloat, while someone who is failing has, at least for now, not managed to.

Struggling is commonly followed by "with" for the thing that is hard ("struggling with debt") and by "to" plus a verb for the effort ("struggling to cope"). You can also be "struggling for" something you lack, such as "struggling for money" or "struggling for breath."

Struggling describes having genuine difficulty succeeding or coping, especially financially or emotionally, and points to the situation itself. Stressed describes the feeling of pressure or tension a person experiences, which can happen even when things are going reasonably well. You can be stressed without struggling, and struggling often causes stress.