trudge

trudge — verb

1. to move forward on foot with slow, heavy steps because the ground is uneven, the

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to move forward on foot with slow, heavy steps because the ground is uneven, the weather is bad, your body is tired, or you are carrying something heavy

Example

Bao trudged through the deep snow on his way back to the cabin.

collocation: trudge through [snow/mud/sand]

After the long flight, Nkechi trudged up the hotel stairs, dragging her suitcase behind her.

collocation: trudge up [stairs/hill]

Common collocations
  • trudge through the snow
  • trudge along the path
  • trudge up the hill
  • trudge across the field
  • trudge wearily
Synonyms
  • plod

    slower and more monotonous, with less sense of burden

  • slog

    suggests greater physical effort, often through mud or wet ground; more informal

  • tramp

    heavier, noisier steps; often implies walking over a long distance with purpose

Antonyms
  • stroll

    walking in a relaxed, unhurried way with no effort

  • skip

    light, bouncy movement that conveys energy and happiness

Grammar Patterns

trudge + preposition (through/along/up/across)

Usage Note

Subject is always a person or group who is tired or burdened. Common prepositions include through, along, up, and across, each describing a different type of difficult terrain.

Common Mistakes

She trudged happily to the party.
She trudged home after the long shift.
trudge implies difficulty or tiredness, never light-hearted movement.
He trudged the bag upstairs.
He trudged upstairs, carrying a heavy bag.
trudge is intransitive in this sense; the heavy object follows with carrying or with.

2. to travel across or complete a particular route, path, or stretch of land by wal

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to travel across or complete a particular route, path, or stretch of land by walking with slow, heavy, effortful steps

Example

The soldiers trudged the muddy road for three days without any rest.

transitive: trudge + [route]

Faisal trudged the final two kilometres of the race on an injured ankle.

transitive: trudge + [distance]

Common collocations
  • trudge the road
  • trudge the last mile
  • trudge the path
  • trudge the distance
Synonyms
  • slog

    similar transitive use (e.g., slog the last mile), but more informal and suggests muddy conditions

  • trek

    covers a longer distance more purposefully; less emphasis on the heaviness of each step

Grammar Patterns

trudge + [distance/route/terrain]

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: here trudge takes a direct object — always a path, route, distance, or stretch of terrain, never a person or an object being carried.

Common Mistakes

She trudged the heavy backpack.
She trudged the forest path with a heavy backpack.
the direct object must be a route or distance, not a burden.

trudge — noun

Word family

  • trudger
    nounC1
  • trudging
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe walking that requires effort, but they differ in the type and degree of that effort. Trudge focuses on slow, heavy steps caused by tiredness or a difficult surface — the walker wants to stop but keeps going. Plod is slower and more rhythmically monotonous; a person plods when they are bored or exhausted and each step feels the same as the last. Slog adds mud, wetness, and a sense of grim determination — slogging through a marsh is messier and more draining than trudging across dry ground. Tramp suggests heavier, noisier footfalls over a long distance, often with a practical purpose (tramping through the woods to reach a cabin). Trek implies a longer, more purposeful journey, usually across wild or remote terrain, and can carry a positive or neutral tone compared to the others. For everyday situations: you trudge home after a horrible day, but you trek through the Himalayas on holiday.

plodslog ↗tramp ↗trek ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • trudge through the snow
  • trudge along the path
  • trudge up the hill
  • trudge home

Prepositions

Etymology

ScandinavianMiddle EnglishEnglish

First recorded in the 1500s in Middle English. The word probably came from a Scandinavian language — compare Swedish 'truga' (to tramp, to tread heavily) and Norwegian 'truga' (to walk wearily). The core image of slow, heavy steps has stayed the same for over 400 years.