wrestle

verb wres·tle \ ˈre-səl , ˈra- \

Definition of wrestle

wrestled; wrestling play \ˈres-liŋ, ˈras-; ˈre-sᵊl-iŋ, ˈra-\

intransitive verb

1 :to contend by grappling with and striving to trip or throw an opponent down or off balance

2 :to combat an opposing tendency or force

wrestling with his conscience

3 :to engage in deep thought, consideration, or debate

4 :to engage in or as if in a violent or determined struggle

wrestling with cumbersome luggage

transitive verb

1 a :to engage in (a match, bout, or fall) in wrestling

b :to wrestle with

wrestle an alligator

2 :to move, maneuver, or force with difficulty

—

wrestler

play \ˈre-slər, ˈra-; ˈre-sᵊl-ər, ˈra-\ noun

See wrestle defined for English-language learners

See wrestle defined for kids

Examples of wrestle in a Sentence

They'll be wrestling each other for the championship.
They'll be wrestling with each other for the championship.

Recent Examples of wrestle from the Web

The longer-lasting problem is that the nation is wrestling once again with its founding injustice: the unequal application of of state power, on differential racial grounds.

— james fallows, The Atlantic, "Why the Arpaio Pardon Matters," 27 Aug. 2017
The trailer for Last Flag Flying mirrors the tone and some of the settings of the original, with the trio traveling on trains and through New York City to wrestle with the tragic results of war.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Richard Linklater's New Iraq War Movie Will Make You Laugh and Cry," 24 Aug. 2017
DETROIT — Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera and Yankees catcher Austin Romine wrestled on the ground near home plate during the first of three bench-clearing altercations during Detroit's testy 10-6 victory over New York on Thursday.

— courant.com, "Basebrawl! 3 Big Beefs, 8 Tossed As Tigers Top Yankees, 10-6," 24 Aug. 2017
Trump and his associates have wrestled with their approach to the Washington influence industry.

— Bloomberg.com, "Lewandowski's Ohio Trips Reveal His Many Trump-Related Roles," 3 Aug. 2017
The former went into production after a 2012 documentary about the 1980s wrestling show won praise; the latter is also based on material released in 2012, a graphic novel called The Coldest City.

— ella donald, HWD, "From Russia, With Love: the Sudden Resurgence of the Soviet Villain," 28 July 2017
Several officers then wrestled Narromore to the ground and were eventually able to detain him.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Ky GOP official accused of indecent exposure in Tennessee department store," 19 July 2017
A group of brave men and women who are armed with a new vision and mission to conquer the hearts of wrestling fans in Florida and the United States.

— posted jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Lucha Conquest: A historic night in Florida in July," 16 July 2017
The parents and politicians both raise valid points, all while educators wrestle with ways to bring academic parity to all classrooms in the most efficient manner.

— Howard County Times, "Speaking up on school redistricting [Editorial]," 12 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of wrestle

Middle English wrastlen, wrestlen, from Old English wrǣstlian, frequentative of wrǣstan

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

wrestle Synonyms

Synonyms

grapple, rassle, scuffle, tussle

Related Words

battle, clash (with), combat, contend, duel, fight, war (against); bash, batter, beat, buffet, hit, punch, slug, strike; box, spar; brawl, skirmish

wrestle

noun

Definition of wrestle

:the action or an instance of wrestling :struggle; especially :a wrestling bout

Recent Examples of wrestle from the Web

Go to see Mason arm-wrestle or Adalynn eat cotton candy.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Wishes granted for free at celebrity softball game," 20 June 2017
Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare’s terse adaptation of Homer’s epic wrestles with the human tendency toward endless — and, in the case of the Greek-Trojan conflict — vain warfare.

— lisa kennedy, The Know, "It’s time to get your Greek on at Boulder and Denver theaters," 16 Feb. 2017

First Known Use of wrestle

1593

WRESTLE Defined for English Language Learners

wrestle

verb

Definition of wrestle for English Language Learners

: to fight (someone) by holding and pushing instead of by hitting, kicking, or punching
: to fight in the sport of wrestling
: to struggle to move, deal with, or control something