as in clash
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a small tussle on the basketball court was quickly broken up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to wrestle
to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery
puppies tussling with one another, rolling over and over on the carpet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of tussle
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024
The titanic five-game tussle between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians in the American League playoffs last week should remain a hot rivalry for many years if 2024 minor-league results mean anything.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 17 Sep. 2024
Kahanamoku was tall, dark and regal with powerful legs, a bright smile and tussled hair.
—Les Carpenter, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for tussle 
Noun
In 1959, after a decently engaging tussle with a giant spider aboard a train — this has little to do with the rest of the plot, but is the only major addition to the comic — Hellboy and B.P.R.D.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024
The titanic five-game tussle between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians in the American League playoffs last week should remain a hot rivalry for many years if 2024 minor-league results mean anything.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Verb
Fans and police officers got in between the tussling parties and kept White from returning any blows.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 17 Sep. 2024
Kahanamoku was tall, dark and regal with powerful legs, a bright smile and tussled hair.
—Les Carpenter, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for tussle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tussle
Noun
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Strange experiences prompt you to self-isolate as the moon clashes with Neptune.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
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Tornadoes are less common but can happen in fall and winter as cold air clashes with warm, moist air streaming out of the Gulf of Mexico.Robert Shackelford, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Two men wrestled with a tree trunk wrapped in trash bags.Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
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At the same time, Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) wrestled with personal struggles away from the ranch.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The United States has consistently urged caution and restraint on both sides of the conflict, warning that the continuation of the skirmishes could unintentionally erupt into a broad regional war.Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Oct. 2024
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The commission must now fight a separate legal battle in a bid to enforce the fine — one of many skirmishes pitting the Australian government against tech mogul Musk.Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Prisoners will keep fighting fires, too, with convicts able to win early-release credits on the fire lines.Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
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Tyson has not fought professionally since losing to Kevin McBride in the sixth round in 2005.Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
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As other suburban Indiana school board races have become embroiled in culture war battles and heated partisan rhetoric in recent elections, school board races in Hendrick’s County have stayed out of the fray.Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
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And after the chaos Washington descended into following the 2020 election, analysts might be prudent to assume Trump wouldn’t take another loss without an intense battle.Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Finally, after 20 years of struggle, protests, court battles and even picketing the home of Warren Buffett, whose company had assumed ownership of the dams, an agreement was reached to demolish the dams.Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
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In the book, Vance recounted a turbulent childhood, his mother's struggle with substance use disorder and the life-changing influence of his grandmother, known to him as Mamaw.Haley BeMiller, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near tussle
Cite this Entry
“Tussle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tussle. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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