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
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2025
These can be just as fascinating as a peak-level match, if not as pretty — a fierce battle, a compelling tussle, an exhibition of the mental toll the sport can take on players.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2025
Cate served on the City Council from 2014 to 2022, facing a tumultuous time during the pandemic as business and community leaders tussled over eviction moratoriums and other relief measures.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
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Noun
Dallas had lost its last eight Game 1s, including the one that lifted the curtain on last spring’s West semifinal tussle with the Avs.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2025
These can be just as fascinating as a peak-level match, if not as pretty — a fierce battle, a compelling tussle, an exhibition of the mental toll the sport can take on players.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
While all presidents tussle with the press, President Donald Trump has taken things to another level at the beginning of his second term.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2025
Cate served on the City Council from 2014 to 2022, facing a tumultuous time during the pandemic as business and community leaders tussled over eviction moratoriums and other relief measures.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 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 3 May. 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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