as in wrestling
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tussling
The courtroom tussling has some juice this week.
—
Noel Murray, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Things got testy with the Mammoth jamming away at Korpisalo after the whistle and Nikita Zadorov took issue with it, tussling with Brandon Tanev.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
This could open up space for another Chelsea player to attack, but an arm in the air from the corner taker is usually a sign for Cucurella to trot back into the box, tussling with his defender and making a nuisance of himself on the way back.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The unaccompanied minor change was made at least partially in response to a viral video that showed a group of teens tussling near a row of carnival games.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 5 Aug. 2025
Noel Murray, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Things got testy with the Mammoth jamming away at Korpisalo after the whistle and Nikita Zadorov took issue with it, tussling with Brandon Tanev.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
This could open up space for another Chelsea player to attack, but an arm in the air from the corner taker is usually a sign for Cucurella to trot back into the box, tussling with his defender and making a nuisance of himself on the way back.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The unaccompanied minor change was made at least partially in response to a viral video that showed a group of teens tussling near a row of carnival games.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussling
Verb
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The state's utility regulator, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), is also wrestling with the issues data centers raise.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Panels, policy rooms, and WhatsApp threads across the continent are wrestling with the same questions.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Barton gave the jury the impression of a man prepared to go into daily combat on numerous fronts, constantly fighting one battle after another, in service of his principles.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The Justice Department under him was not really interested in fighting crime.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tussling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussling. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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