wrestle

verb

wres·tle | \ ˈre-səl

, ˈra-

wrestled; wrestling\ ˈres-liŋ

, ˈras- ; ˈre-sᵊl-iŋ , ˈra- \

Definition of wrestle

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

1a : 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

wrestle

noun

Definition of wrestle (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from wrestle Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about wrestle

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Synonyms for wrestle

Synonyms: Verb

grapple, rassle, scuffle, tussle

Examples of wrestle in a Sentence

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Anibal Godoy resorted to trying to wrestle Kane to the ground, only to concede a penalty that was converted by the Tottenham striker. — CBS News, "England advances to World Cup knockout round with resounding 6-1 win over Panama," 24 June 2018 Utilities have a clear incentive to promote EVs: wrestling the transportation sector's fuel spending away from the oil and gas industry would be a major feat. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "In California, utilities will spend $768 million on electric car infrastructure," 2 June 2018 Science teacher Jason Seaman wrestled the gun away from the shooter at Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana on Friday morning, parents and students told the Indianapolis Star. — refinery29.com, "An Unarmed Teacher Helped Stop The Indiana Middle School Shooting," 25 May 2018 After stopping the shooter and wrestling the weapon away from him, James also started a GoFundMe page to help the victims and their families. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "5 Ways to Take Action After a School Shooting," 19 May 2018 At the time of the memo’s writing, Beck stood as the last lawyer still trying to wrestle money out of the pearl. — Michael Lapointe, The Atlantic, "The Twisted Tale of the World’s Largest Pearl," 11 May 2018 Nothing to take back and try to wrestle down onto a page. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Read an excerpt from Luna author Ian McDonald’s heartbreaking new time-travel romance," 31 Mar. 2018 But as Xiomara wrestles to embrace her independence and nascent sexuality in the face of a censorious, extremely religious mother, The Poet X eventually reveals itself as a rhythmic literalization of a young woman finding her voice. — Constance Grady, Vox, "We read all 25 National Book Award finalists for 2018. Here’s what we thought.," 15 Nov. 2018 Sombra's detective work is needed now more than ever as Colombia wrestles with soaring coca production that is testing traditionally close relations with the United States. — Manuel Rueda, Fox News, "Extraordinary drug dog worries Colombian cartel," 27 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In a sneak peek at Sunday’s episode of Total Bellas, the 34-year-old wrestles with an important question: Who should walk her down the aisle? — Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Nikki Bella Questions Who Should Walk Her Down the Aisle in Wedding to John Cena," 22 June 2018 Yet Ms Haspel’s confirmation hearing was less an honest airing of this dilemma than a partisan mud-wrestle. — The Economist, "Gina Haspel, alleged water-boarder, could be the next CIA director," 10 May 2018 But as tensions between the U.S. and China grow, ASEAN is once again caught in the middle of what could be a damaging arm-wrestle between great powers. — Simon Roughneen, latimes.com, "Southeast Asian nations watching China-U.S. trade tiff warily, but reluctant to speak out," 27 Apr. 2018 Their first handshake, a virtual arm-wrestle at an international meeting in Germany last June, produced a globally viral video. — Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, "As Macron arrives to meet Trump, fate of Iran nuclear deal is front and center," 22 Apr. 2018 Their first handshake, a virtual arm-wrestle at an international meeting in Germany last June, produced a globally viral video. — Karen Deyoung, chicagotribune.com, "As Macron arrives to meet Trump, fate of Iran nuclear deal is front and center," 22 Apr. 2018 But in every devastating moment, every existential wrestle, Acevedo sows seeds of beauty and growth. — Katie Ward Beim-esche, The Christian Science Monitor, "YA novel 'The Poet X' is an elegiac meditation on poesy and religion," 23 Mar. 2018 There are two sessions today, beginning at 11 a.m. with wrestle-back semifinals followed by third-, fifth- and seventh-place medal round matches. — Pat Galbincea, cleveland.com, "Penn State-Ohio State, Snyder-Coon cap NCAA Wrestling Championships tonight at The Q (photos)," 17 Mar. 2018 Always losing in the blood round (the round that eliminates a wrestle from podium position). — Adam Baum, Cincinnati.com, "Moeller's Jake Thompson brings state wrestling title back home," 10 Mar. 2018

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.