tussle
5 synonyms for tussle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A brief, rough physical struggle or fight.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A brief, rough physical struggle or fight.
“The two dogs got into a tussle over the ball.”
How to use tussle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a tussle over
get into a tussle
Etymology
Related to "tousle", both likely coming from an old word meaning to pull or handle roughly.
Full origin of tussle →Frequently asked questions
What does “tussle” mean?
The word “tussle” means a brief, rough physical struggle or fight. In plain terms, a short scuffle or argument, whether physical or over an issue.
How do you pronounce “tussle”?
“Tussle” is pronounced TUH-suhl (/ˈtʌsəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “tussle” in a sentence?
Here is “tussle” used in a sentence: “The two dogs got into a tussle over the ball.”
What part of speech is “tussle”?
Depending on how it is used, “tussle” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “tussle” have?
“Tussle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brief, rough physical struggle or fight.
