wrestle

[res-uhl]

verb (used without object)

wrestled, wrestling 

1. to engage in wrestling.

2. to contend, as in a struggle for mastery; grapple.

   to wrestle with one's conscience.

verb (used with object)

wrestled, wrestling 

1. to contend with in wrestling.

2. to force by or as if by wrestling.

3. to throw (a calf or other animal) for branding.

noun

1. an act of or a bout at wrestling.

2. a struggle.

wrestle

/ ˈrɛsəl /

verb

1. to fight (another person) by holding, throwing, etc, without punching with the closed fist

2. (intr) to participate in wrestling

3. to fight with (a person, problem, or thing)

   wrestle with one's conscience

4. (tr) to move laboriously, as with wrestling movements

5. (tr) to throw (an animal) for branding

noun

1. the act of wrestling

2. a struggle or tussle

Other Word Forms

• wrestler noun
• outwrestle verb (used with object)
• unwrestled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wrestle¹

before 1100; Middle English wrestlen, wrastlen (v.), Old English *wrǣstlian (compare Old English wrǣstlere wrestler), frequentative of wrǣstan to wrest; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German worstelen

Word History and Origins

Origin of wrestle¹

Old English wræstlian; related to Middle Dutch wrastelen (Dutch worstelen ), Old Norse rost current, race

Example Sentences

Americana singer-songwriter Neko Case, who turned 55 years old earlier this month, doesn’t seem to wrestle with this question the way many of her contemporaries do.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The motif of a mad woman has popped up many times in Swift’s lyrics over the years, often as a way for the singer to wrestle with her fame and public image.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Anyone who has wrestled with a smart light, thermostat or other home tech knows the pain.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Passers-by wrestled the dog off her but it broke free and chased a man into a petrol station forecourt, setting upon him next.

Read more on BBC

This element of the conversation around the dangers of Islamism and how it is countered is not new and itself infuriates many as we collectively wrestle with what to do about it.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• contend 
• grapple 
• scuffle 
• strive 
• tangle 
• tussle