PLODS Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

plods

verb

present tense third-person singular of plod

as in strives

to devote serious and sustained effort plodded night and day to get the assignment done

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as in stumbles

to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually oxen plodding through deep mud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in drags

to move slowly plodded reluctantly off to work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shuffles

to move heavily or clumsily wayfarers plodding across the sandy wastes

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plods

Verb

First Tee is a youth development organization that strives to building strength of character in kids using the game of golf.

— Zach Schenfisch, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The proposal to redevelop Corporate Woods comes at a time when the city strives to transform the area into a more walkable and vibrant space for residents, workers and visitors.

— Taylor O'Connor August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of strives

Verb

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
Mitchell’s own imitation of Spielbergian life, despite its meticulous re-creation (and gleeful destruction) of eighties suburbia, stumbles into an uncanny valley between sincerity and cynicism, between unintentional comedy and deliberate homage.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumbles

Verb

The latest consumer price report has arrived, offering a closer look at the country’s economic pulse and how everyday Americans are faring as the war with Iran drags on.

— Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
As litigation drags on, the plaintiff will necessarily require a higher settlement amount to compensate for the fees incurred so far and this will make the case more difficult to settle.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of drags

Verb

In the clip, Dawkins shuffles out onto the field with no shirt, a pair of Crocs and a clear plastic bag ready to get the ol' inside-out treatment.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
An exhibition game also shuffles the storylines — some players emerge, others might fade.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffles

Verb

Don’t wait until a leader is tapped on the shoulder to take a top job only to realize the leader struggles with collaboration or lacks executive presence.

— Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Only the collision between Manette, Darnay and Carton unleashes a complex love triangle as both men fight for her love and Manette struggles over whom to choose.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggles

Verb

Enola dutifully trudges between clues and possibilities, shuffling through crime scenes and racing around shady spaces, all of this much more paint-by-numbers than connect-the-dots.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
However, even as the team trudges to a play-in spot rather than a top seed, Green was adamant that the Warriors’ standard of competitiveness cannot change.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026

Definition of trudges

Verb

Researchers have developed a new control framework that enables humanoid robots to perform agile movements, including army crawls, breakdancing and backflips.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Markets do not hold still for a year and a half while your deal crawls through due diligence.

— Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of crawls

Verb

If anything, the dichotomy between the pop star who prances around Versailles in a sheer nightie and the pop star who stomps onstage in knee-high combat boots feels completely authentic and intentional.

— Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Suddenly, the trees part and a Tyrannosaurus rex stomps into view.

— RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 11 June 2026

Definition of stomps

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.

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ploddingly

plods

plop

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“Plods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plods. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of plods

verb

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