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
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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
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
That led to a behind-the-scenes tussle between OPD and federal authorities about what to release to the public and when.
—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
The two Democrats have frequently tussled for moral high ground over their connections to industries that voters might see as unsavory.
—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Noun
Roaring and grunting, his body sleek with blood and sweat, Conan tussles and grapples with a series of opponents, dominating them all, while an audience of torch-wielding vulgarians shouts and howls at the pit’s lip.
—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
That led to a behind-the-scenes tussle between OPD and federal authorities about what to release to the public and when.
—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Verb
The Buffs and Rams have tussled 34 times in the last 43 years, with CU winning 26 of the matchups.
—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
The two Democrats have frequently tussled for moral high ground over their connections to industries that voters might see as unsavory.
—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
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But Kubo hasn’t played since suffering a meniscus tear in Japan’s opener against the Netherlands, and yesterday he was ruled out for the Brazil clash.
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At the heart of the clash is how to manage wild horse populations that can reproduce at a rapid clip.
Verb
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Tempers flared late in the fourth quarter when Kings center Dylan Cardwell and Nets guard Egor Demin wrestled for a loose ball.
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Officials throughout the state have tried to wrestle with the gray area e-bikes occupy — faster than humans strolling on the greenbelt but not quite at the same level as cars and trucks.
Noun
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The skirmishes date back to shortly after Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City in July 2022.
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Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s point toward Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner amid a heated skirmish during their game has gone mega viral.
Verb
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Two firefighters died from injures sustained while fighting the blaze.
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The action is set in the 1750s with Washington as a young man eager to fight, initially as a British officer in a period of complex loyalties.
Noun
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True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
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There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.
Noun
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As Clark was at the bottom of a scramble for the ball, video appears to show Thomas driving a fist into Clark's neck before Thomas lifts herself from the scuffle and carries on play.
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Civalli, who was at the center of a scuffle in the fourth inning, yelled at Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras after striking him out, causing the benches to clear.
Noun
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Clifford was impressed with Acuff’s ability to play through his early struggles.
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Older students and professionals face an existential struggle to find a job, according to Yahya Alhamarna, a 24-year-old author displaced in Gaza City.
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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