1
: a physical contest or struggle : scuffle
2
: an intense argument, controversy, or struggle
Examples of tussle in a Sentence
Noun
The suspect was arrested after a tussle with a security guard.
a tussle for control of the company
The President is in for another tussle with Congress.
Verb
Two players tussled for the ball.
The residents of the neighborhood tussled with city hall for years about the broken parking meters.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nathan Bomey, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, in Canada, support for the country's Liberal Party surged late last month, after Trump's tussle with the country.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
The star is no stranger to playing U.S. presidents who can tussle when necessary.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
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Noun
Denholm's arrival at Tesla in 2018 was seen as a potential stabilizing moment after Musk's tumultuous tussle with U.S. securities regulators.
—Nathan Bomey, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, in Canada, support for the country's Liberal Party surged late last month, after Trump's tussle with the country.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
In the clip, the animals tussle on a bed, Moose making playful growling noises as he and Peach play-fight, Moose using his mouth and Peach giving it all with his paws.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
The star is no stranger to playing U.S. presidents who can tussle when necessary.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tussle
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tussle. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tussle
2 of 2 noun1
: a physical contest or struggle
2
: a rough argument or a struggle against difficult odds
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