as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
his grandfather would always tousle the boy's neatly combed hair
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Recent Examples of tousle
Inviting Half Lash to the singer's eyes and her hair down and tousled with a classic middle part.
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2025
After Fallon’s now-infamous Tonight Show interview with Donald Trump leading up to the 2016 election, many criticized him for humanizing Trump by asking him softball questions and tousling his hair.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
The late night appearance doubled as Hoult formally debuting his hair on the show — the star wore his locks, which were shaved down on the sides for a tapered cut, tousled on the top to give the look a stylish edge.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 26 June 2025
In images and clips shared across social media, the 25-year-old performer stunned in a rich, blue gown, tousled up-do ,and declared her affection for love.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tousle
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2025
After Fallon’s now-infamous Tonight Show interview with Donald Trump leading up to the 2016 election, many criticized him for humanizing Trump by asking him softball questions and tousling his hair.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
The late night appearance doubled as Hoult formally debuting his hair on the show — the star wore his locks, which were shaved down on the sides for a tapered cut, tousled on the top to give the look a stylish edge.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 26 June 2025
In images and clips shared across social media, the 25-year-old performer stunned in a rich, blue gown, tousled up-do ,and declared her affection for love.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tousle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tousle
Verb
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The real passengers on the ship were not particularly delighted to have large camera cables and lights and people disrupting their vacations.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Corn can provide carbohydrates, which can be vital to deer during the winter for a burst of energy, Edge said, but an increase in carbs can disrupt the animal's gut chemistry and affect digestion, much like giving children a lot of candy bars.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The technology included corrupt automatic shuffling machines that read cards and predicted which player had the best hand.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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And after Paulsen’s five seasons in Washington, several of those Shanahan-tree coaches indeed shuffled Paulsen from building to building, staff to staff.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For instance, Bella's first meeting with Edward in their biology class is supposed to be this unnerving moment, where Bella is disturbed by Edward's apparent repulsion toward her.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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A lot of disturbing things happened in The Exorcist — Regan MacNeil's 360 neck turn remains one of the most diabolical things to happen on film — and for its innovations, the 1973 movie scored 10 Oscar nominations.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her daughter was confused, and eventually asked Nasser for an explanation as to what had been said.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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At her spring show, Marie-Adam Leenaerdt brought back the style, but her shiny spandex stocking version ensures no one confuses the look for child’s play.—
Laia Garcia-Furtado,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tousle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tousle. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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