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
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
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Hoot
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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.
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
Antonelli prevailed in a gripping race, initially staging a three-car fight also including Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, before the race distilled down to a tussle between the Mercedes and Norris.
From BBC • May 3, 2026
The tussle over the new rules has loomed over UBS’s Swiss identity and dragged on the bank’s share price.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
No. 2 Michigan tussle in the Fort Worth Regional final.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026
In the tussle that followed, something fell out of Other Ashley’s bag—insulin and needles.
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
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.
