1
: a physical contest or struggle : scuffle
2
: an intense argument, controversy, or struggle
Examples of tussle in a Sentence
Noun
The suspect was arrested after a tussle with a security guard.
a tussle for control of the company
The President is in for another tussle with Congress.
Verb
Two players tussled for the ball.
The residents of the neighborhood tussled with city hall for years about the broken parking meters.
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
In response to Trump’s tussle with China, Apple CEO Tim Cook said earlier this month that most iPhones sold in the U.S. during the March-June period would come from India.
—Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 May 2025
If the senior Duterte isn’t allowed to take the oath, experts say the role of mayor could fall to election runner-up Karlo Nograles, of the Nograles political dynasty, longtime Duterte rivals in Davao, where both families tussle for influence.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
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Noun
And China’s ascendency in EVs provides a window into future tussles between the world’s top two economies over innovations set to power the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
In response to Trump’s tussle with China, Apple CEO Tim Cook said earlier this month that most iPhones sold in the U.S. during the March-June period would come from India.
—Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Verb
Throughout 40 hours of interviews, Reubens, a perfectionist, and Wolf verbally tussle over control on the project.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 May 2025
If the senior Duterte isn’t allowed to take the oath, experts say the role of mayor could fall to election runner-up Karlo Nograles, of the Nograles political dynasty, longtime Duterte rivals in Davao, where both families tussle for influence.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tussle. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tussle
2 of 2 noun1
: a physical contest or struggle
2
: a rough argument or a struggle against difficult odds
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