1
: a physical contest or struggle : scuffle
2
: an intense argument, controversy, or struggle
Examples of tussle in a Sentence
Noun
The suspect was arrested after a tussle with a security guard.
a tussle for control of the company
The President is in for another tussle with Congress.
Verb
Two players tussled for the ball.
The residents of the neighborhood tussled with city hall for years about the broken parking meters.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
The support rally came in response to news about the tussle between Fleischmann and the village over accusations that the pro-Trump store violated village sign ordinance and building codes with its inflatable dolls of President Trump and a banner hanging outside of the store.
—Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 May 2025
If the senior Duterte isn’t allowed to take the oath, experts say the role of mayor could fall to election runner-up Karlo Nograles, of the Nograles political dynasty, longtime Duterte rivals in Davao, where both families tussle for influence.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
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.
Noun
The tussle over rare earths precedes the current administration.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
The support rally came in response to news about the tussle between Fleischmann and the village over accusations that the pro-Trump store violated village sign ordinance and building codes with its inflatable dolls of President Trump and a banner hanging outside of the store.
—Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Verb
Throughout 40 hours of interviews, Reubens, a perfectionist, and Wolf verbally tussle over control on the project.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 May 2025
If the senior Duterte isn’t allowed to take the oath, experts say the role of mayor could fall to election runner-up Karlo Nograles, of the Nograles political dynasty, longtime Duterte rivals in Davao, where both families tussle for influence.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tussle. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tussle
2 of 2 noun1
: a physical contest or struggle
2
: a rough argument or a struggle against difficult odds
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share