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
Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
The local tussle over Twin Oaks Court shows that getting the housing department’s seal of approval isn’t the end of the fight, but possibly the beginning of a new one.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025
Jake Allen, IndyStar, 17 Sep. 2025
Thus, for the time being, retirement contributors do not need to tussle with any changes to their retirement contributions.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Noun
What ensues is an internal war to match the grander struggle, as each man tussles with his own worst nature in light of what the angel can offer.
—Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
The local tussle over Twin Oaks Court shows that getting the housing department’s seal of approval isn’t the end of the fight, but possibly the beginning of a new one.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
This is not the first time Finkam and city councilors have tussled over management of the events and festivals Carmel has become known for.
—Jake Allen, IndyStar, 17 Sep. 2025
Thus, for the time being, retirement contributors do not need to tussle with any changes to their retirement contributions.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
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The clash occurs more so on the stylistic side and acclimatising to Villa’s methods.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Fundraisers for the victims of devil attacks, apparently a common occurrence in this reality, acknowledge the death toll that these supernatural clashes leave behind.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rotunda is the real-life father of the late pro wrestler known as Bray Wyatt and his brother who wrestles as Bo Dallas.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
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Sigg described often wrestling with suicidal ideations.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Amazon Prime commentator Kirk Herbstreit said as a guess at Rodgers' response to Jones, as footage of the sideline near-skirmish played for viewers.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Why This Hurts More Than Before US-China trade tensions aren’t just another tariff skirmish.—
Vitalii Savryha,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s after the consumer price index for September inched up but came in below forecasts, clearing the way for the Fed to focus more on the maximum-employment side of its mandate than the inflation-fighting side.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
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Inflammation is the immune system’s response to fight against infection or disease.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As soon as a battle or a war has been fought, victors and losers alike begin to tell different stories.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Linked by the fire, a cashier, fire-fighter, district attorney and student battle to prevent tragedy, the blaze’s consequences still roiling two decades later.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Stephens said there were signs of a struggle, and Thomas' body had been dragged about 180 feet into the woods.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
24 Oct. 2025
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Passmore reflects on Shakur’s life and considers how her story highlights the broader struggles and resilience of Black activists whose work is marginalized in mainstream histories.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sunday, following a scuffle that escalated into gunfire, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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The pair—who were both heavily intoxicated, the auction house says—wound up in a scuffle in which Lennon lost his glasses.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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