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
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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
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Recent Examples of tussle
Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
In addition to the suit filed today against the Shells, Cipriani is in a legal tussle with Las Vegas casino owners Resorts World.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Would Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic stay on the right side of the match officials when tussling with Gabriel and William Saliba?
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Noun
The trial is part of a much larger legal tussle over the matter, with potential implications for Abbott and for families of babies born prematurely nationwide.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
In addition to the suit filed today against the Shells, Cipriani is in a legal tussle with Las Vegas casino owners Resorts World.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Two hummingbirds tussled in low branches.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Would Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic stay on the right side of the match officials when tussling with Gabriel and William Saliba?
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
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The cross-border clashes, which erupted late last month, have shown no signs of abating despite efforts by China and Turkey to broker a ceasefire.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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Defense was absent from the Nuggets’ game plan early in this clash, though, and Murray Supreme was nowhere to be seen.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The question most are wrestling with right now is, how long will the lag period — and friction — between these two cycles last?—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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One question law enforcement and Homeland Security officials may be wrestling with, Chasdi said, is whether the public alerts enhance safety by heightening awareness or whether the publicity about them may, unintentionally, inspire more of them.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The curbs were initially enacted in 2020 after a border skirmish escalated tensions between the world’s two most populous nations.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
10 Mar. 2026
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The incident occurred during a skirmish between counterprotesters and an anti-Islam protest led by far-right activist Jake Lang outside Gracie Mansion.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Zelenskyy noted that providing interceptors was not enough to help fight drone attacks.—
SYLVIE CORBET,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Pakistan denied targeting civilians, as fighting between the neighbors entered its third week.—
Abdul Qahar Afghan,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The war inside The game was ultimately decided by the battle inside the paint as TCU’s frontline of Punch and junior center Xavier Edmonds scrapped and clawed with Kansas’ talented big men Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
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He was involved in multiple relegation battles and believes having the right mindset is key.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There were some further exchanges then a scuffle.—
Marta Zherukha,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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Police body camera footage released by the Connecticut Office of Inspector General Inspector showed Walker brandishing a knife and raised the blade toward a policeman who had fallen over during a scuffle in the apartment involving Walker and his family members.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The matchup between the two incumbent Republicans highlights a greater struggle of generational change that both parties are facing.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
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For many in the middle and lower tiers, simply staying afloat now feels like a struggle.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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