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
Elias Burke, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
At some point, the driver got out of the car and got into a tussle with Reese and Girvin.
—Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2025
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2024
Sonic 3 post-credits scenes explained: Meet the new characters
These two tussling for the crown is a surprising regime change from the recent box office; the dominant story for weeks has been the battle between Universal's Wicked and Disney's Moana II.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Noun
That is understandable given that the title race and top-flight survival are the league’s most consequential tussles.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
At some point, the driver got out of the car and got into a tussle with Reese and Girvin.
—Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
Fiennes and Berger tussled briefly over which costumes to use for the cardinals after Fiennes met with the British cardinal and tried on his vestments.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2024
Sonic 3 post-credits scenes explained: Meet the new characters
These two tussling for the crown is a surprising regime change from the recent box office; the dominant story for weeks has been the battle between Universal's Wicked and Disney's Moana II.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
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Duke won 76-65 on the road in Louisville in the only regular-season clash between these teams.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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This style of play can make games often feel like the climax of a Star Wars movie where the action of the film cuts between clashes between starships and heroes on the ground.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But federal courts are wrestling with the fallout, blocking some of the actions at least temporarily.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
9 Mar. 2025
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Many capable, accomplished women live in the ‘not enough’ trap, wrestling daily with a nagging sense of inadequacy.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The killings helped ignite the Revolutionary War that began following the April 19, 1775, skirmishes called the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the vastly bloodier June 17, 1775, Battle of Bunker Hill in Charlestown.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
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Since the onset of Israel’s war against Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces engaged in cross-border skirmishes with Hezbollah – including ground operations on Lebanese soil – until a ceasefire deal was struck late last year.—
Greg Norman,
Fox News,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The new administration’s push to strip EPA’s regulatory powers would resonate beyond U.S. borders, where the global community is fighting to prevent irreversible climate damage.—
Margo T. Oge,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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Mills now fights to preserve her state’s refusal to keep men out of women’s sports.—
James Erwin,
National Review,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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After routing 5-seed Villanova 82-54 in the semifinals on Sunday, the Huskies advance to face No. 23 Creighton for a battle between the top two seeds in the conference title game.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2025
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Just last month at the NFL Scouting Combine, GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales stressed the importance of battle in the trenches.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For all of their defensive struggles — particularly in defensive counter-attacking moments — this season, City’s dedication to hoovering up loose balls is still strong when the chips are down.—
Mark Carey,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
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This not only fosters appreciation for the cuisine but also sparks curiosity about the traditions, struggles and resilience of the people behind it.—
Liza B. Zimmerman,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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