TUSSLE Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

tussle 1 of 2

noun

ˈtə-səl

Definition of tussle

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

truce

tussle

2 of 2

verb

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 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 tussle

Noun

The Senegal international wins his individual tussle with the defender, laying the ball off for Johan Manzambi, who quickly returns it to Jackson to score. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Sanders had posted an 18-23 record at CU going into this weekend’s Homecoming tussle with the Red Raiders. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2026

Verb

The video depicts a group of students engaged in horseplay, progressing to two 15-year-olds tussling and laughing, according to the suit. — Eric Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 After Lewandowski tussled with Inter Miami defender Ian Fray, De Paul approached Lewandowski aggressively and proceeded to recite the latest accomplishments on his résumé. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tussle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle

Noun

Pressure to address the conditions in the juvenile jails intensified this summer after a June 21 violent clash at Horizon in Mott Haven between the detainees and staff, in which 11 were stabbed and 15 hospitalized, according to a Council report.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
But there's a likely clash of ideals and approach coming on the left over the next several months, as the Democratic presidential primaries.

— Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of clash

Verb

Alvarado will be out in that scenario due to points and Ranchview will have to win by nine points or more to wrestle the final playoff berth away from Springtown.

— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2026
The new tax brackets come as Americans wrestle with affordability issues amid the rising cost of housing, groceries, gasoline and other living expenses.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of wrestle

Noun

After a bloody skirmish with the orcs and wild men, an imposing figure arrives on horseback, grabbing one of the warriors and hurling him at Galadriel’s approaching horse.

— Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green was involved in a skirmish on Monday night.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

Brown's career started as well as anyone could have imagined, as the former sixth-round-pick from Central Michigan went from fighting to earn a roster spot to becoming one of the most prolific wide receivers in Pittsburgh franchise history.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
The American Gaming Association has been fighting prediction markets as unlicensed gambling.

— Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

The leader, facing a tough re-election battle, has focused much of his campaign ahead of Tuesday’s vote on security.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
By focusing on the battles fought in luxury department stores, fashion shows, high-end spas, nail salons, and the home, the film illustrated just how limited even privileged women’s options were.

— Raymond Ang, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

When their friends brought the dog back, there was a brief scuffle over the new gate that had been set up to keep him out of the bedroom.

— Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
Last week, the latest judge to be approved by parliament – Maciej Berek - was prevented from taking his seat amid scuffles outside the Tribunal in Warsaw.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of scuffle

Noun

Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is going to start calling plays from the booth instead of the sideline amid his unit’s tremendous struggles.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Alternative data creates opportunities to assess people whom traditional scoring struggles to understand, but those opportunities come with responsibility.

— Artem Lalaiants, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of struggle

Browse Nearby Words

tushes

tussle

tussled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tussle

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

abandon

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes