wrestle

1 of 2

verb

wres·​tle ˈre-səl How to pronounce wrestle (audio) ˈra- How to pronounce wrestle (audio)
wrestled; wrestling ˈre-sliŋ How to pronounce wrestle (audio)
ˈra-;
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
ˈre-slər How to pronounce wrestle (audio)
ˈra-;
ˈre-sᵊl-ər
ˈra-
noun

wrestle

2 of 2

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Fear of falling behind That worry of falling behind is something many men are wrestling with, according to a recent report by the Speaking with American Men (SAM) project, a new effort aimed at helping Democrats better reach and connect with young men. Elena Moore, NPR, 13 June 2025 Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate health committee, openly wrestled with whether to support Kennedy's nomination out of concern about his views on vaccines. Arkansas Online, 10 June 2025 Many bishops are wrestling with similar downsizing questions as the number of church-going Catholics in parts of the U.S. and Europe shrinks and once-full churches stand empty. Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025 Detainees have been pepper-sprayed and wrestled to the ground for refusing to return to their cells, causing minor injuries on both sides, the officer said. Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrestle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrestle was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrestle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrestle. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

wrestle

1 of 2 verb
wres·​tle ˈres-əl How to pronounce wrestle (audio)
wrestled; wrestling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce wrestle (audio)
1
: to struggle with and try to throw down an opponent
2
: to compete against in wrestling
3
: to struggle for control (as of something difficult)
wrestler noun

wrestle

2 of 2 noun
: the action or an instance of wrestling

More from Merriam-Webster on wrestle

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