tussle
Americanverb (used without object)
noun
-
a rough physical contest or struggle; scuffle.
-
any vigorous or determined struggle, conflict, etc..
I had quite a tussle with that chemistry exam.
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
tusslesimple
-
tusslessimple
-
have tussledperfect
-
has tussledperfect
-
am tusslingprogressive
-
are tusslingprogressive
-
is tusslingprogressive
-
have been tusslingperfect progressive
-
has been tusslingperfect progressive
Past
-
tussledsimple
-
had tussledperfect
-
was tusslingprogressive
-
were tusslingprogressive
-
had been tusslingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of tussle
1425–75; late Middle English (north and Scots ) tusillen, derivative ( see -le) of tusen to touse
Explanation
A tussle is a rowdy fight. If the rambunctious kids you're babysitting get into a tussle, you may have to separate them for a while and calm them down. Though a tussle is often a physical fight, it's rarely a serious one. Two wrestling dogs, a couple of scuffling teenagers — these are examples of tussles. The word tussle is Scottish, a variant of touselen, which is related to tousle, or "dishevel or muss," which you might do to a little kid's hair. The root of both is the Old English tousen, "handle or push about roughly."
Vocabulary lists containing tussle
Freak the Mighty
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Hoot
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Beowulf: A New Telling
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Nvidia – which last October became the first publicly-traded firm to be valued at $5tn – has long been at the centre of a tussle between the US and China over trade and national security.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
The other piece of this is that for a while, there was this tussle between lower courts and the Supreme Court.
From Slate ● Jun. 1, 2026
That became the center of a legal tussle after the city sued for its restoration and some panels have been restored, pending a court decision.
From Barron's ● May 17, 2026
One of the many undercurrents of Wednesday’s debate was the ongoing tussle between Becerra and Villaraigosa.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026
I went to dinner that night all set for a tussle.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
Before Robby and Al-Hashimi engage in any real ideological tussles, though, she commits the cardinal sin of suggesting they change the trauma center’s nickname to something else.
From Salon ● Jan. 8, 2026
High on the to-do list will be ensuring the economy is ready for another round of tussles with the U.S., as signaled by the emphasis Chinese leaders have placed on reducing reliance on foreign technology.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 9, 2025
But behind the scenes, we can reveal there have been lengthy, pained discussions and extended tussles between the BBC and the show's production company Banijay over what to do, specifically about Torode.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2025
Long, gliding tracking shots with sophisticated camera and character blocking give way to hectic handheld movements as Terry scraps and tussles with his foes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2024
He reaches out and tussles at my hair.
From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick
For months, Vahidi, an enigmatic commander whose predecessor was killed on the first day of the war, has tussled with more public-facing, political figures in the Iranian leadership.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
In 2025, the US president went as far as visiting the Fed's under-renovation headquarters, where he verbally tussled with Powell as the two toured the site.
From Barron's ● Mar. 30, 2026
As the Soviet Union and the US tussled over the Korean peninsula, they agreed to to divide it.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2025
On Friday night, reports emerged that Elon Musk’s aides had tussled with Office of Personnel Management and Treasury staffers while demanding access to troves of information about federal employees.
From Slate ● Feb. 3, 2025
A breeze tussled through the trees, sending poplar leaves spinning like golden coins down onto the rutted dirt road.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
While tussling for the ball, he stepped directly on an opponent’s ankle and received a straight red card, which will keep him out of the next game.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
His attentiveness will be closely watched in the Maduro case, as tussling between the defense and prosecution has already threatened to draw out proceedings.
From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026
In Colorado, the industry is tussling over a first of its kind law to protect consumers from algorithmic discrimination.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025
Videos on social media showed tussling between protesters, some wearing what appeared to be traditional indigenous dress, and security guards.
From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2025
I thinks all your tussling done bust one n’em scabs open.”
From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
