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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 May 2025
But skeptics haven’t disappeared As critics are quick to point out, Coinbase relies heavily on volatile crypto trading volumes and has only recently finished its tussle with the SEC.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 13 May 2025
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
While all presidents tussle with the press, President Donald Trump has taken things to another level at the beginning of his second term.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Noun
Such metrics can belie the eye test, which highlights Torres’ discernible discomfort when against strikers who enjoy physical tussles — such as Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta — or those, such as Jamie Vardy, who run behind.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 May 2025
But skeptics haven’t disappeared As critics are quick to point out, Coinbase relies heavily on volatile crypto trading volumes and has only recently finished its tussle with the SEC.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 13 May 2025
Verb
Frank wound up there after trying to tussle with the Mayor’s anti-vigilante task force who don’t wear brown shirts, rather Punisher insignia shirts.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
While all presidents tussle with the press, President Donald Trump has taken things to another level at the beginning of his second term.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
-
The clash between Villaraigosa’s environmentalist credentials and oil-industry ties surfaced in the governor’s race after Valero announced in late April that its Bay Area refinery would close next year, not long after Phillips 66 said its Wilmington refinery would close in 2025.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
-
Trump tests legal strategies as judges block his policies As the clash becomes a defining moment in the president's second term, conservative activists are pushing Congress to rein in federal judges and pressing Trump to intensify his fight with the courts.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
As in Denver, cities across the country are wrestling with how to restore the pre-pandemic hustle and bustle to recharge what has historically been a crucial economic engine.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2025
-
The guards wrestle him to the ground and In-ho watches.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Past skirmishes with Pakistan had allowed Modi to construct a triumphalist narrative of strength that played to his domestic audience.—
Vaibhav Vats,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2025
-
Türkiye has been vocal about its support for Pakistan in the wake of the border skirmishes, and India has severed ties with several of its businesses and universities.—
Jasreen Mayal Khanna,
AFAR Media,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
Moving to Italy was a big jump and then moving here was another big jump: from Serie B to a big club that fights in European competition.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
-
The current plan would lift the SALT cap from $10,000 to $30,000, but a handful of blue-state Republicans have been fighting to raise the cap higher.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Recently, a German court quietly ended a landmark legal battle that had spanned nearly a decade.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
Fires and recovery Crews battle fire burning in Pala, evacuations underway in northern San Diego County.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
Barry Keoghan is sharing something deeply personal about his struggle with sobriety.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
-
But that progress on paper does not mean the struggle is over.—
Danaya Wilson,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share