tussle 1 of 2

noun

ˈtə-səl How to pronounce tussle (audio)
Definition of tusslenext
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

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 race for the Golden Boot is not only shaping up to be a classic, but a fantastic tussle between the biggest stars in the game. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Roaring and grunting, his body sleek with blood and sweat, Conan tussles and grapples with a series of opponents, dominating them all, while an audience of torch-wielding vulgarians shouts and howls at the pit’s lip. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Verb
The Buffs and Rams have tussled 34 times in the last 43 years, with CU winning 26 of the matchups. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 June 2026 The two Democrats have frequently tussled for moral high ground over their connections to industries that voters might see as unsavory. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
  1. clash
  2. wrestle
  3. skirmish
  4. fight
  5. battle
  6. scuffle
  7. struggle
Noun
  • With Brazil’s upcoming clash with Norway providing another physical challenge in the blistering New Jersey heat, is Casemiro a help or hindrance to his team?
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Your 3rd House of Communication tightens as the vibrant Sun activates it and clashes with restrictive Saturn in your 12th House of Solitude.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
Definition of clash
Verb
  • Tempers flared late in the fourth quarter when Kings center Dylan Cardwell and Nets guard Egor Demin wrestled for a loose ball.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
  • Officials throughout the state have tried to wrestle with the gray area e-bikes occupy — faster than humans strolling on the greenbelt but not quite at the same level as cars and trucks.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026
Definition of wrestle
Noun
  • The skirmishes date back to shortly after Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City in July 2022.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s point toward Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner amid a heated skirmish during their game has gone mega viral.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of skirmish
Verb
  • Two firefighters died from injures sustained while fighting the blaze.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • The action is set in the 1750s with Washington as a young man eager to fight, initially as a British officer in a period of complex loyalties.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 July 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • Cavalli, 27, was disciplined for his role in a scuffle that broke out during Washington’s game against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, including a comment that ignited the fracas.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 7 July 2026
  • A bit of a scuffle broke out in the 34th minute when Andrés Cubas fouled Mbappé and the Frenchman pushed him in retaliation, revealing France’s frustrations at failing to break down the South American defense.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of scuffle
Noun
  • Clifford was impressed with Acuff’s ability to play through his early struggles.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
  • Older students and professionals face an existential struggle to find a job, according to Yahya Alhamarna, a 24-year-old author displaced in Gaza City.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of struggle

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tushes
tussle
tussled
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Cite this Entry

“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of tussle for Spanish Speakers

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