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
Chris Morris, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2024
Smith outlined legal tussles over executive privilege, the Supreme Court’s July ruling on presidential immunity, and Trump’s scare tactics.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 19 Nov. 2024
Jennings was ejected in the second quarter after tussling in the end zone with Cardinals’ cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who also was disqualified for his actions.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tussle 
Noun
Hinrichs’ best memory so far was at a stop a couple of years ago when a family brought a disabled child but were hanging back from the train to avoid the tussle of the crowd.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2024
Smith outlined legal tussles over executive privilege, the Supreme Court’s July ruling on presidential immunity, and Trump’s scare tactics.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
Phoenix Children’s has tussled with United Healthcare, Aetna and Cigna since 2022.
—Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 19 Nov. 2024
Jennings was ejected in the second quarter after tussling in the end zone with Cardinals’ cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who also was disqualified for his actions.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
-
At stake in the clash with rival Buffalo Bills is a trip to the Super Bowl and a bid for a historic Super Bowl three-peat for the Chiefs.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the Bruins are flying high after a 2-0 shutout win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, and with a strong defensive showing and reliable goaltending, Boston will look to carry that momentum into Saturday's clash.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Broadly speaking, several countries are wrestling with the damage wrought by the drug trade, fragile public institutions, human trafficking and organized crime.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
-
This one’s all over the place tonally, on purpose: Ferrell wrestles a fake alligator over here, while over there, Witherspoon bravely engages with her siblings and their intimidating mother to hammer out an honest reconciliation after too long.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
He’s been seen in multiple skirmishes with Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans as the two players competed during NFC South rivalry games when the cornerback was on the Saints.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
North Carolina politics: A skirmish has erupted over a state Supreme Court race in the Tar Heel State more than two months after Democrats narrowly clinched the seat.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In response, in the 2024 election, 22 states with strong public support, voted to fight climate change, approving billions of dollars in new spending.—
Stanley S. Litow,
New York Daily News,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Other countries gave natural elements rights in efforts to fight climate change.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Her non-exhaustive account of the battle for equal rights in America includes more than one hundred laws, court rulings, murders, assassinations, books, films, protests, and riots.—
Mara Hoberman,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2025
-
The case is one of around 20 legal challenges to Trump’s use of executive authority since his return to office and could set the stage for broader court battles over his policy agenda.—
Kaelan Deese,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Chapter 11 filing underscores the struggles of the active and outdoor apparel space.—
Richard Collings,
Axios,
4 Feb. 2025
-
To put this struggle into perspective, textile waste was up by over 800 percent from 1960-2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported in 2019.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tussle
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share