tussle

1 of 2

noun

tus·​sle ˈtə-səl 

1

: a physical contest or struggle : scuffle

2

: an intense argument, controversy, or struggle

tussle

2 of 2

verb

tussled; tussling ˈtə-s(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to struggle roughly : scuffle

Synonyms of tussle

Noun

• clash
• skirmish
• battle
• fight
• scuffle
• struggle

Verb

• wrestle
• fight

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

Noun

The move is meant to represent a fresh start for Lively with a focus back on her career and not the 18-month legal tussle that generated considerable media attention. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

That movie’s absurdities didn’t occur onscreen but in the subsequent legal tussles between its star, Blake Lively, and its director and co-star, Justin Baldoni. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Verb

Michigan is looking for a more complete performance after tussling with UTEP through the first half last week. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 2026

The video depicts a group of students engaged in horseplay, progressing to two 15-year-olds tussling and laughing, according to the suit. — Eric Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English (Scots) tussillen, frequentative of Middle English -tusen, -tousen to tousle — more at touse

First Known Use

Noun

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1638, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tussle

• bustle
• hustle
• muscle
• mussel
• russel
• rustle
• trussell
• mofussil

Kids Definition

tussle

1 of 2 verb

tus·​sle ˈtəs-əl 

tussled; tussling

ˈtəs-(ə-)liŋ

: scuffle sense 1

tussle

2 of 2 noun

1

: a physical contest or struggle

2

: a rough argument or a struggle against difficult odds