wrestle

verb wres·tle \ ˈre-səl , ˈra- \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Examples: wrestle in a Sentence

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

Michael DiSabato has accused the Ohio Republican, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion at the University of Wisconsin and a former Ohio State assistant coach, of turning a blind eye to allegations against Richard Strauss, who died in 2005.

— samuel chamberlain, Fox News, "Ex-Ohio State wrestler's emails to Rep. Jim Jordan allege cover-up of 'vile' sex abuse," 6 July 2018
There are a significant number of stereotypes going on across many of these GLOW wrestling personas.

— mike bloom, The Hollywood Reporter, "'GLOW' Stars Wrestle With Inclusion and Satire Through Stereotypes," 5 July 2018
The Republican congressman and chair of the Freedom Caucus served as Ohio State’s assistant wrestling coach from 1986 to 1994, around the time allegations against Strauss were first investigated by the university.

— kaila philo, The New Republic, "Former Ohio State wrestlers accuse Representative Jim Jordan of ignoring sexual abuse.," 3 July 2018
Prosper captured its first UIL Lone Star Cup victory (5A) with a state championship in volleyball, state runner-up finish in boys wrestling and third-place finish at the academic state meet.

— brian gosset, star-telegram, "Local schools clean up in UIL Lone Star Cup," 2 July 2018
Sarjeant emerged from the crowd and fired at least six times before being wrestled to the ground by police.

— dana rose falcone, PEOPLE.com, "See Princess Diana's Dramatic First Trooping the Colour — 1 Month Before Marrying Prince Charles," 9 June 2018
Common interests, like talking sports and politics (and wrestling in the pool), keep their bond strong.

— maria carter, Woman's Day, "Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos's Love Story Is Better Than Any Rom-Com," 1 May 2018
The video included limited camera angles from inside the restaurant but did not show the suspect being wrestled to the floor.

— erin edgemon, AL.com, "Al Sharpton to hold town hall on controversial Saraland Waffle House arrest," 28 Apr. 2018
DeCarlo transformed the Blue Streaks wrestling program into a national power.

— plain dealer sports, cleveland.com, "John Carroll University coaching legend Tony DeCarlo dies," 19 Apr. 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.

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

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

wrestle Synonyms

Synonyms

grapple, scuffle, tussle;

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

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

First Known Use of wrestle

1593

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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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