arm wrestling

noun

|Updated on: 29 Jul 2018

Definition of arm wrestling

: a form of wrestling in which two opponents sit face to face gripping usually their right hands, set corresponding elbows firmly on a surface (such as a tabletop), and attempt to force each other's arm down — called also Indian wrestling

See arm wrestling defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of arm wrestling from the Web

In the ensuing months, Putin would also be pictured arm wrestling, riding a horse and practicing judo.

— Washington Post, "How the Kremlin turned the Russian president into a global icon," 12 July 2018
Most of the conservative women probably could beat them in arm wrestling.

— Fox News, "Mike Huckabee: Peter Fonda ought to be in jail," 27 June 2018
Ed long was regarded as the strongest man in the NFL, the winner of every arm wrestling match anyone drew up.

— nick canepa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Alzheimer’s plays no favorites, now afflicts ex-Chargers great White," 25 June 2018
Nothing) is what happens when an NFL team’s marketing department strolls into football operations and wins an arm wrestling match.

— conor orr, SI.com, "Cleveland Browns Out to Prove They’re a Competent Franchise on Hard Knocks," 17 May 2018
Davis favorite gorilla is George, an albino who can speak in sign language and possesses a genial rapport with Davis, who is probably the only human being who could beat him at arm wrestling.

— mick lasalle, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: More monsters, more fun in ‘Rampage’," 11 Apr. 2018
In a shameless display of machismo, Reggie challenges Archie to an arm wrestling match in order to settle who will get The Bulldogs’ votes, aka the athletic votes, for Student Government.

— refinery29.com, "Riverdale Season 2, Episode 17 Recap: "The Noose Tightens"," 29 Mar. 2018
Reggie and Archie have an actual arm wrestling tournament to determine who the athletes will vote for.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "'Riverdale' Season 2 Episode 17 Recap: Cheryl and Toni Have a Big Moment," 28 Mar. 2018
Aside from live German music and beer, the night also including activities like a ceremonial keg tapping, arm wrestling competitions, beer pong, a photo booth, shopping and more.

— daniela sternitzky-di napoli, Houston Chronicle, "King's Oktoberfest brings the party to Houston," 22 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arm wrestling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.