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
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Recent Examples of tussle
Nicole Edenedo, AFAR Media, 26 Aug. 2025
There's a very solid chance the Yankees and Red Sox will meet up for a best-of-three series to start the playoffs, so Chisholm is wise not to show any intimidation at the thought of another tussle with the division foe.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2025
These supplies, though not as fancy as the latest kicks, the coolest backpack or the phones kids now have to be tussled with to put away in order to focus, are essentials in creating a learning environment where children can thrive.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Noun
Expect to see Wild West performances on and off the train, like a tussle between the Cataract Creek Gang and the town Marshall on the departure platform, a robbery from rowdy cowboys on horseback who hop aboard the train, and banjo players serenading guests with western tunes.
—Nicole Edenedo, AFAR Media, 26 Aug. 2025
There's a very solid chance the Yankees and Red Sox will meet up for a best-of-three series to start the playoffs, so Chisholm is wise not to show any intimidation at the thought of another tussle with the division foe.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Hawaii native won that battle with the sea, and recently tussled with another elemental force: fire.
—Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2025
These supplies, though not as fancy as the latest kicks, the coolest backpack or the phones kids now have to be tussled with to put away in order to focus, are essentials in creating a learning environment where children can thrive.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
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The real clash with liberals is not over how big government should be, but over what the state should be empowered to do.—
Allan J. Lichtman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Their violent clash of characters in the Marvel series, which has been a solid performer on Disney+, underpinned the original Netflix action series.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead of encouraging students to wrestle with opposing views, many campuses reward silence or groupthink.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But while salons have offered steam treatments as a curly hair staple for decades, at-home steamers have been too bulky (attempting to replicate in-salon domes) or too hard to use, requiring you to wrestle your curls into heated thermal caps, a battle that’s easy to lose.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Regions of Africa and Southern Asia are embroiled in deadly and underreported skirmishes, and areas of Mexico and Haiti are torn by gang violence akin to civil war.—
Daniella Walsh,
Oc Register,
18 Sep. 2025
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Delhi sees Beijing as its biggest threat, particularly since some border skirmishes that began in 2020.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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How do Flock cameras help fight crime?—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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These medications can lower the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps fight bacterial infections.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Republicans were unfazed by Democrats threatening to withhold their votes, accusing them of hypocrisy for condemning GOP efforts to win policy concessions in past funding battles.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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The iconic items fit well in this book given how many Avengers don’t feel complete without a gadget or mystical item to carry into battle.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Friction is the artist's struggle, the mentor's challenge, and the co-founder's disagreement.—
Curt Steinhorst,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Those struggles compounded during an alarming first half last season, spurring former coach Peter Laviolette to try something new.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Things got testy between Florida and LSU during warm ups ahead of last week's tilt, and among the multiple pregame scuffles, one sticks out above the rest because of associate head coach and running backs coach Jabbar Juluke's involvement.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
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The coin’s creators have run across the field at Los Angeles Dodgers games and gotten into scuffles with famous gym creators, all as a means of hyping up their coin.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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