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

State officials wrestled for years to correct those problems. — Joseph O’sullivan, The Seattle Times, "Inslee unveils $675 million plan to reverse crisis in Washington’s mental-health system," 12 Dec. 2018 The Supreme Court on Monday wrestled with whether to allow a 40-year-old legal doctrine to derail a class-action lawsuit arguing that Apple uses its monopoly control over the iPhone app market to overcharge customers for apps. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "How Apple hopes to stop a customer lawsuit over its App Store monopoly," 27 Nov. 2018 The seven other former Ohio State wrestlers who have come forward in the past week say Jordan, who was Ohio State’s assistant wrestling coach from 1986-94, knew Strauss was molesting student-athletes and failed to do anything to stop him. — Christine Brennan, USA TODAY, "Jim Jordan defender: Ohio State locker room talk included ‘prepare to drop your pants’," 9 July 2018 The chief then wrestled him to the ground and handcuffed him. — Bruce Selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, "Courting arrest for online clicks and the First Amendment," 9 July 2018 Features bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and more. — Sun-Sentinel.com, "Davie and Cooper City area events, June 20-30," 18 June 2018 Throughout the entire season, viewers have seen freshly engaged Jamie Reagan (Will Estes) and Eddie Janko (Vanessa Ray) wrestle with balancing their personal and professional lives. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "Next Week's 'Blue Bloods' Episode Reveals That Frank Reagan Is Battling a Serious Lawsuit," 26 Oct. 2018 That history creates a paradox with which native intellectuals and cultural revivalists have been wrestling at least since the Indian civil-rights movement of the 1970s. — The Economist, "Tommy Orange’s debut novel is a work of defiance and recovery," 5 July 2018 The 2002 Providence graduate, who won two individual state titles for the Celtics and was part of four team state championships, has been named the school’s wrestling coach. — Steve Millar, Daily Southtown, "Reynolds wrap: Former Providence star Donny Reynolds leaves Marmion to coach alma mater," 7 May 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.