tussle

noun tus·sle \ ˈtə-səl \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of tussle

1 : a physical contest or struggle : scuffle

2 : an intense argument, controversy, or struggle

See tussle defined for English-language learners

Examples of tussle in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of tussle from the Web

The incidents involved such things as disputes over use of a swing set and tussles over brownies, or children hurling a half a banana or squirting toothpaste.

— joaquin palomino, San Francisco Chronicle, "Millions sought to stem arrests at California foster care shelters," 5 Apr. 2018
As Long and Crews tussle over the pole, Harris, standing next to Long, swings a flashlight at Crews, whose head snaps back to the right, appearing as though he'd been struck on the head or shoulder.

— ian shapira, chicagotribune.com, "Black man beaten in Charlottesville found not guilty of assaulting white supremacist," 16 Mar. 2018
Dara'a's tussles with its security chief occurred against a backdrop of a Middle East in uproar.

— jamie tarabay, CNN, "For many Syrians, the story of the war began with graffiti in Dara'a," 15 Mar. 2018
Warranties in China In a tussle that was as much about politics and power as customer service, Apple became the target of intense criticism in Chinese state media over its warranty policies there.

— will oremus, Slate Magazine, "All Apple’s Apologies," 2 Jan. 2018
Analysts say a new leader will need to chart a delicate path for the trade-dependent country as giant powers such as China and the U.S. tussle for influence over the region’s affairs.

— jake maxwell watts, WSJ, "Singapore Promotions Prompt Speculation Over Premier’s Successor," 24 Apr. 2018
The conceptual rigor of the format tussles with the organic chaos of the subject.

— leah ollman, latimes.com, "One bed photo per day, for years and years: Mesmerizing moments from an art show about daily life," 9 Apr. 2018
Avelar and Diggs, the attorneys who wrote the paper, are with the Institute for Justice and both have been involved in recent tussles with the Arizona cosmetology board.

— richard ruelas, azcentral, "Blow dryers and bullies: How haircuts became a major issue for Gov. Doug Ducey," 5 Apr. 2018
Russia, on the other hand, has maintained that England fans should have no worries about their safety at the tournament, despite the diplomatic tussle.

— sandy thin, CNN, "Arsenal vs. CSKA Moscow clash to test Anglo-Russian ties ahead of World Cup," 5 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of tussle

1629

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

tussle Synonyms

tussle

verb

Definition of tussle

tussled; tussling play \-s(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

: to struggle roughly : scuffle

See tussle defined for English-language learners

See tussle defined for kids

Examples of tussle in a Sentence

The two basketball players tussled for the ball.
The residents of the neighborhood tussled with city hall for years about the broken parking meters.