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
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Recent Examples of tussle
Larry Neumeister, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
To be fair, Payton should’ve won the first tussle in front of the Red Sea.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2024
Sonic 3 post-credits scenes explained: Meet the new characters
These two tussling for the crown is a surprising regime change from the recent box office; the dominant story for weeks has been the battle between Universal's Wicked and Disney's Moana II.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Noun
This is the second Justice Department tussle in five years between Washington and New York to result in a dramatic leadership turnover.
—Larry Neumeister, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
To be fair, Payton should’ve won the first tussle in front of the Red Sea.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
Fiennes and Berger tussled briefly over which costumes to use for the cardinals after Fiennes met with the British cardinal and tried on his vestments.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2024
Sonic 3 post-credits scenes explained: Meet the new characters
These two tussling for the crown is a surprising regime change from the recent box office; the dominant story for weeks has been the battle between Universal's Wicked and Disney's Moana II.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
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The order’s provision to outlaw post-Election Day ballot tabulation sets up a clash between Trump and California. County officials are given nearly a month to process ballots and millions of ballots in the state are counted in the days and weeks after an election.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Dudek was promoted when his predecessor resigned, in mid-February, following clashes with DOGE staffers who were attempting to access information about Social Security recipients.—
John Cassidy,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Retail Media’s Measurement Challenges The retail media industry has wrestled with measurement standardization since its inception, with brands often frustrated by inconsistent approaches across different retailers.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Over his nearly 32-year career, Homicide wrestled for nearly every major promotion, with the notable exception of WWE.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The clashes are a sign of growing tensions at the Lebanon-Syria border, northeast of the Beqaa valley, where predominantly Shiite Lebanese villages have seen skirmishes with Syrian soldiers in recent weeks.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
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After his skirmish with Diarra, Neal waved his arms to fire up Creighton fans in the sellout crowd.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Earlier in the day, President Trump rejected reports that advisor Elon Musk would be briefed on how the U.S. would fight a hypothetical war with China.—
Tara Copp,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
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Among the federal lawsuits fighting to continue the program, a hearing is scheduled Monday in federal court in northern California on a motion to speed up the sharing of evidence.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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What else is going on Point Reyes’ historic dairies have been ousted after a legal battle.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
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Russia is also not able to produce large quantities of new advanced main battle tanks and the production of new equipment is limited.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And for those wondering: Yes, despite her struggles Gay would still love to be a full-time actress.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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The past year hasn’t always been easy for the family, starting with Kentucky’s loss in the first round last March and continuing through the move to Arkansas and the Razorbacks’ struggles early in the season.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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