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

He just gifted $1 million to the University of Pennsylvania’s wrestling program. — Aubrey Nagle, Philly.com, "Pickleball takes over the Jersey Shore, Pa. Supreme Court donations in question | Morning Newsletter," 12 July 2018 Elias won five of the first six races of the season, but Beaubier wrestled the series lead away from him with his Road America sweep. — Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "No crash, but plenty of final-corner excitement as MotoAmerica rides out of Elkhart Lake," 3 June 2018 Jordan was assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State when Strauss was the team doctor. — Julie Carr Smyth, Cincinnati.com, "Investigators' emails to US Rep. Jordan went to bad address," 6 July 2018 Dajerria Becton, who was 15 years old at the time, back in 2015, was last seen in a viral video getting wrestled to the ground by then-McKinley, Texas, Police Officer Eric Casebolt. — Montana Couser, The Root, "McKinley, Texas, Girl Who Was Slammed to the Ground by Police at a Pool Party in 2015 Wins Settlement," 20 June 2018 Rose was able to wrestle the gun away before calling 911, police say. — Cincinnati.com, "Two men injured after Friday night shooting in Pendleton County, police say," 14 July 2018 When Young rose up to shoot, his arm got tangled up with Allen's, and the two scuffled a moment as Young tried to wrestle free. Teammates moved quickly to separate the pair, while referees also intervened. — Matt Eppers, USA TODAY, "Rookies Grayson Allen and Trae Young scuffle during Summer League game," 6 July 2018 Arancio, 40, jumped the counter and tried to wrestle the gun from the man and was shot in the chest, the charges say. — Sara Jean Green, The Seattle Times, "Charges detail fatal shooting, robbery of SeaTac motel clerk," 26 June 2018 The iguanas continued to wrestle each other, head butt each other, trying to push each other around and seemingly biting each other's heads. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Dueling iguanas hold up traffic in Florida Starbucks parking lot," 24 June 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.