as in skirmishes
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 wrestles
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
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Recent Examples of tussles
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Through their relationship, as the duo tussles over everything from hedge cutting to how to handle their resident storks, the film explores whether land is intended for food production, or whether saving the natural world should be prioritized at all costs.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
From Agnes’ brutal childbirth scenes to the wrenching heartbreak when the plague hits their household and takes 11-year-old Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), Zhao immerses you in Agnes and Will’s grief while also touching on their own individual internal tussles.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
That plan was delayed for years by litigation from preservationists and legal and political tussles with Miami elected officials, including now former Mayor Francis Suarez, who tried to block demolition.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Multiple unnecessary tussles with the SEC, including a settlement that cost him $20 million and his position of Tesla chair for three years.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
As a result, high borrowing costs and legal tussles with restive foreign investors have left the country unable to take on debt abroad for most of the past two decades.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Dec. 2025
Winter’s vocal presence imagines a fearless indie oddball like Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus going for the full prattling gusto of the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger; the band tussles and sways exhilaratingly underfoot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Winslet’s Julia and Riseborough’s Molly are forced to confront their long-running feud while everyone tussles with their bubbling grief.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
Noun
After Dobbins was shelved before Week 11, the Broncos still had seven more regular-season games on the fight card and two more postseason tussles — and would’ve been three if Nix had been healthy.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Through their relationship, as the duo tussles over everything from hedge cutting to how to handle their resident storks, the film explores whether land is intended for food production, or whether saving the natural world should be prioritized at all costs.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
From Agnes’ brutal childbirth scenes to the wrenching heartbreak when the plague hits their household and takes 11-year-old Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), Zhao immerses you in Agnes and Will’s grief while also touching on their own individual internal tussles.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
That plan was delayed for years by litigation from preservationists and legal and political tussles with Miami elected officials, including now former Mayor Francis Suarez, who tried to block demolition.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Multiple unnecessary tussles with the SEC, including a settlement that cost him $20 million and his position of Tesla chair for three years.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
As a result, high borrowing costs and legal tussles with restive foreign investors have left the country unable to take on debt abroad for most of the past two decades.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Dec. 2025
Winter’s vocal presence imagines a fearless indie oddball like Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus going for the full prattling gusto of the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger; the band tussles and sways exhilaratingly underfoot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Winslet’s Julia and Riseborough’s Molly are forced to confront their long-running feud while everyone tussles with their bubbling grief.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussles
Noun
-
The two also got into multiple skirmishes back in December during a recent Lakers-Suns game, including James knocking down Brooks after some contact from the NBA's all-time leading scorer.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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Enrigue’s novel is inspired by the long-running Apache Wars of the 19th century, a series of brutal skirmishes between various Apache bands and the armies of the United States and Mexico.—
Carolina A. Miranda,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At left, Nora wrestles Jefferson’s Ella Hughes during the finals of the 135-pound weight class.—
Jason Getz,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Judah Heeg, who wrestles for Lemont, and Providence’s Luke Banas both finished fourth.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The train, which was originally slated to open in 2023, has faced significant delays caused by clashes between the airport and contractor, LAX Integrated Express Solutions, over timeline, compensation and production.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were arrested in connection with the device at Saturday’s chaotic rally, which saw clashes between Lang and counterprotesters outside the Upper East Side mayoral residence of Mayor Mamdani.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These are intriguing threads Disco almost fights.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
As the war enters its next phase, the side with the deeper arsenal may ultimately determine who fights till the end.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Comfort battles formality fighting to break free.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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For example, one recent night, the room between Cardboard Corner Café and TableTop was set up for Warhammer, where enthusiasts collect, build, and paint miniatures, and fight strategic tabletop battles.—
Debra Skodack,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tussles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussles. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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