tussle

[ tuhs-uh l ]
/ ˈtʌs əl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR tussle 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.

QUIZZES

PRACTICE SOME ESCAPISM WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

We salute you if you remember all the doovers from Word of the Day between May 25 and May 31!
Question 1 of 7
salute
to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.
to wield power; exercise rule.
to express respect or praise for; honor; commend.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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. 2020

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