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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of tussle

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tussle in a sentence

Cue a tussle for talent — something esports teams often have complete control over unlike content and distribution.
‘We’re all content businesses’: esports orgs borrow from the media owner’s playbook in search for new revenues|Seb Joseph|February 15, 2021|Digiday
It was not clear if that was related to his tussle with the FAA.
SpaceX violated its launch license during December’s Starship test flight, prompting the FAA to order an investigation|Christian Davenport|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
I slept off my tussle with the rattler and woke up refreshed and ready to explore.
Seeing Big Vistas at Theodore Roosevelt National Park|Emily Pennington|January 21, 2021|Outside Online
The tussle between the district and families is just the newest in a long line of problems related to distance learning – especially among historically disadvantaged groups within the school system.
New Form for Special Ed Students Triggers Parents’ Fears|Will Huntsberry|October 5, 2020|Voice of San Diego

The ride isn’t over yet — expect more term sheet tussles and pushbacks from China over the finer details of the deal.
TikTok’s unusual spinoff: 4 outstanding advertiser concerns|Lara O'Reilly|September 22, 2020|Digiday
“He has been tussling with the decision to run for the presidency,” says a Western diplomat.
The General Who Would Be President|Jamie Dettmer|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then we get Eric Cantor tussling with the next President Clinton.
The Senate's Immigration Vote|Michael Tomasky|June 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Obama is going to spend the summer pushing, and the Senate tussling over, those.
Obama: Finally Ready to Fight?|Michael Tomasky|May 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Dershowitz also said the legal tussling took its toll on Aguiar.
New Clues in the Mysterious Disappearance of Multimillionaire Guma Aguiar|Matthew DeLuca|August 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
High-stakes Politburo tussling on the eve of a key power reshuffle.
China’s Top Cop Goes Missing, as Officials Stay Mum and Bloggers Erupt|Melinda Liu|February 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At last, near the horizon's rim, he spied a yeasty tumult of the sea, marking some obstruction at which the waves were tussling.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
Through the yellowish light Shagarach could see tussling groups and hear cries of anger and pain.
The Incendiary|W. A. (William Augustine) Leahy
When he was ten days old Ba-ree discovered there was great sport in tussling with a bit of rabbit fur.
Kazan|James Oliver Curwood
I was at the outskirts of the town, when I perceived two men tussling with one another, and I walked towards them. '
Japhet, In Search Of A Father|Frederick Marryat
I was at the outskirts of the town, when I perceived two men tussling with one another, and I walked towards them.
Japhet in Search of a Father|Frederick Marryat

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

tussle

Origin of tussle

Words related to tussle

How to use tussle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tussle

Word Origin for tussle