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
Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
While Oklahoma City and Minnesota are tussling in a steel cage match to reach the NBA Finals, Chopper Circle is without a general manager, without a head coach, without a draft pick in 2025, and without much cap space.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
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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
Whatever happens with Hogg, young Democrats are increasingly in the mood to tussle.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
While Oklahoma City and Minnesota are tussling in a steel cage match to reach the NBA Finals, Chopper Circle is without a general manager, without a head coach, without a draft pick in 2025, and without much cap space.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 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 18 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
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