Synonyms of wrestle

wrestle 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈre-səl 

as in to fight

to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery

the sisters wrestled on the floor over the last cookie

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fight
• grapple
• brawl
• tussle
• battle
• contend
• rassle
• scuffle
• combat
• hit
• duel
• punch
• war (against)
• strike
• skirmish
• clash (with)
• box
• beat
• slug
• spar
• bash
• buffet
• batter

wrestle (with)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to contemplate

to give serious and careful thought to

I've been wrestling with the idea of switching careers for quite some time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contemplate
• consider
• ponder
• debate
• entertain
• study
• think (about or over)
• mull (over)
• question
• pore (over)
• eye
• chew on
• weigh
• explore
• review
• chew over
• look at
• analyze
• kick around
• meditate
• deliberate
• ruminate
• cogitate
• perpend
• revolve
• beat one's brains out (about)
• cudgel one's brains (about)
• muse (upon)
• turn
• reflect (on or upon)
• brood (about or over)
• fret (about or over)
• dwell (on or upon)
• digest
• drink (in)
• speculate (about)
• obsess (about or over)
• fixate (on or upon)
• believe
• reminisce
• reason
• conclude
• absorb
• opine
• conceive
• assimilate
• second-guess

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• slight
• disregard
• overlook
• reject
• dismiss
• pooh-pooh

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wrestle

Verb

Every genre is going to wrestle with the zeitgeist in its own way. — Ashley Winstead, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

As opportunities beyond the classroom grow, teachers wrestle with their deep commitment to serving students in public schools while longing for greater professional autonomy. — Tiffany Thenor, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Haiken says his dealership will have to find new uses for some of its facilities — and other dealers are likely also wrestling with hard decisions. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 10 July 2026

He was named All-American in wrestling three times and won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling in the 1948 Olympics. — Norah Judson, Des Moines Register, 9 July 2026

Phrases Containing wrestle

• wrestle (with)