TOUSLE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

tousle

verb

ˈtau̇-zəl

Definition of tousle

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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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of tousle His hair is frosted at the tips, carefully tousled; his eyes are alert, amused, ever-probing. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2026 Her signature copper red hair, styled by Halley Brisker, was worn softly tousled down her back. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2026 Kardashian, 45, showed off a pair of ice-blue contact lenses and wore her chocolate brown hair tousled across her shoulders. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026 Whether it was tousled by hand or pulled back in a tortoiseshell headband, Bessette’s length and color followed the same effortless code of her wardrobe, leaving us with enduring hair inspiration even after her untimely passing. — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tousle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tousle

Verb

Bondele was among hundreds of Ebola response workers in Bunia who staged strikes and protests over unpaid wages in recent weeks, at times abandoning health facilities and disrupting parts of the response as the outbreak continued to spread.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
And maybe some Gen Zers are undersocialized and under-prepared after their education was disrupted by a global pandemic.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Verb

The results indicated continued progress in CVS' broader turnaround plan, which has involved cutting $2 billion in costs, closing underperforming stores, shuffling leadership and reducing costs within Medicare Advantage plans.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Few heads turn despite her tall, unmistakable frame shuffling across the floor.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Verb

Burke’s friends and acquaintances who spoke with Rolling Stone were similarly disturbed.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
China’s introduction of a common buying agency has disturbed what has been an evenly balanced relationship which has sometimes favored one side over the other, but which eventually finds equilibrium.

— Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

It’s labeled in their inventory so it’s not confused for an original, but adds their own touch to their trove.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Physicians are alarmed, stressing that FDA licensing is crucial for guiding patients, as this decision risks confusing consumers about regulated versus unregulated treatments.

— Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of confuse

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“Tousle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tousle. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tousle

verb

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