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Definitions

trudge

[truhj] / trʌdʒ /
VERB
walk heavily
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lumber plod slog stumble traipse tramp trek wade
STRONG
clump footslog hike march step stump tread
WEAK
drag oneself plug along schlepp
Antonyms
STRONGEST
tiptoe

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for trudge?
Trudge means to walk heavily, wearily, or with difficulty. Close synonyms include plod, tramp, lumber, and slog. The word schlep is sometimes used similarly, but it usually implies that something is being carried. Trudge can also be used as a noun meaning a long, difficult, tiring walk. Slog and tramp can also be used this way. Other synonyms for this sense are the noun use of traipse and the more figurative senses of hike and trek.
What is the opposite (antonym) of trudge?
Trudge usually implies difficulty and tiredness. Some words that suggest the opposite—walking lightly or easily—are patter, tiptoe, and the figurative use of glide.
Where does trudge come from?
The origin of trudge is uncertain. It could be a blending of the words tread and drudge. There is no strong evidence for the popular theory that claims that it comes from a word in multiple Scandinavian languages that sounds similar to trudge and means “to walk using snowshoes.”
How do you use trudge in a sentence?
Trudge is used when someone is walking laboriously or in a way that shows exhaustion or difficulty. Here are some examples of trudge in a sentence:
  • The kids just trudged upstairs to bed.
  • We were trudging through the muddy field, hoping to find our way back to the trail. 
  • The walk up the hill to the old church is a real trudge.

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.

The job market continues to trudge along with little hiring and little firing.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

I certainly didn’t want to trudge back out to LaGuardia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Watching the Scarlets number eight trudge off to the sin-bin seemed inevitable after the amount of penalties he conceded in a chastening afternoon.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

On a blistering summer day, Aduba quickly styled her hair in Bantu knots as she prepared to trudge to another round of back-to-back auditions, certain more nos were on the way.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2025

I trudge upstairs while a flood of people race down, on their way to the weekend.

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.