as in clash
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a small tussle on the basketball court was quickly broken up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to wrestle
to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery
puppies tussling with one another, rolling over and over on the carpet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of tussle
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
And so began another tussle over semantics regarding Kalshi, which lets users put money on the outcome of sports games (and many other events) in all 50 states but is not regulated as gambling.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
This is especially true as the city has continued to tussle with an ever-increasing population.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Noun
Grant pulled Lenoir away from the brief tussle, and both Lenoir and Jennings returned to action not long thereafter.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
And so began another tussle over semantics regarding Kalshi, which lets users put money on the outcome of sports games (and many other events) in all 50 states but is not regulated as gambling.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
In the lone South American-European match-up of this round, the teams will tussle in the only quarterfinal encounter under the lights.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
This is especially true as the city has continued to tussle with an ever-increasing population.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
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However, those same clashes can be transformed into deeper connections with a little effort and understanding.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
When it has been used, the stealth fighter has generally remained far away from frontline clashes, intelligence reports from the British government indicated in early 2023.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The reticence around jumping on the Mamdani train has highlighted an identity crisis of sorts playing out inside the party as its leaders wrestle with whether the 33-year-old Queens Assembly member is a model for the future of Democratic party politics.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
12 Aug. 2025
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Throughout the episode, Conrad wrestled with his romantic feelings for Belly.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The only skirmish Wednesday was sparked by some trash-talking between Chuba Hubbard and Jenkins — yes, same Jenkins — and peaked when Jenkins threw a football at Hubbard’s helmet.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Aug. 2025
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Attorney: Separate skirmishes, no 'racist mob' Fox told The Enquirer that national and local voices have mischaracterized what actually happened.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In 2022, only 22 percent of Ukrainians favored a negotiated end to the war, and 73 percent favored Ukraine fighting until victory.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
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He was arrested in February 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and had been fighting extradition to the United States since then.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking a judge to jail Beto O'Rourke, claiming the former Democratic congressman violated a court order by fundraising to support the dozens of state Democratic lawmakers who have fled the state amid its redistricting battle.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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The Defense Department has awarded BAE Systems’ shipyard in San Diego a $64.1 million contract for repairs, maintenance and upgrades on the USS O’Kane, a Burke-class destroyer that helped protect the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group during a long deployment that ended in February.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Neal has been inconsistent and has had some health struggles.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
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Having high profile people who presumably have access to resources talk about their struggles also is a reminder that these issues are hard for everyone.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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