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tussle

[ tuhs-uhl ]
/ ˈtʌs əl /
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See synonyms for: tussle / tussles on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), tus·sled, tus·sling.

to struggle or fight roughly or vigorously; wrestle; scuffle.

noun

a rough physical contest or struggle; scuffle.
any vigorous or determined struggle, conflict, etc.: I had quite a tussle with that chemistry exam.

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Origin of tussle

1425–75; late Middle English (north and Scots ) tusillen, derivative (see -le) of tusen to touse

Words nearby tussle

tussiculation, tussie-mussie, tussis, tussive, tussive fremitus, tussle, tussock, tussock caterpillar, tussock grass, tussock moth, tussocky
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to tussle

brawl, scuffle, strife, fray, skirmish, free-for-all, tangle, wrestle, roughhouse, clash, combat, contest, undertaking, scrap, fight, rumble, jam, hassle, encounter, grind

Example sentences from the Web for tussle

British Dictionary definitions for tussle

tussle
/ (ˈtʌsəl) /

verb

(intr) to fight or wrestle in a vigorous way; struggle

noun

a vigorous fight; scuffle; struggle

Word Origin for tussle

C15: related to Old High German zūsen; see tousle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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