wrestle
5 synonyms for wrestle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To grapple with an opponent, trying to throw or pin them down, often as a sport.
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.
How to use wrestle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
wrestle with a decision
wrestle an opponent
wrestle with guilt
Etymology
From Old English wrǣstlian, "to wrestle" — related to "wrest", meaning to twist or pull forcefully.
Full origin of wrestle →Frequently asked questions
What does “wrestle” mean?
The word “wrestle” means to grapple with an opponent, trying to throw or pin them down, often as a sport. In plain terms, to physically grapple with someone, or to struggle mentally with a tough problem.
How do you pronounce “wrestle”?
“Wrestle” is pronounced REHSL (/ˈɹɛs(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “wrestle” in a sentence?
Here is “wrestle” used in a sentence: “The two boys wrestled playfully on the living room floor.”
What part of speech is “wrestle”?
“Wrestle” is a verb.
Where does the word “wrestle” come from?
The word “wrestle” comes from Old English. From Old English wrǣstlian, "to wrestle" — related to "wrest", meaning to twist or pull forcefully.
Is “wrestle” a common word?
“Wrestle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wrestle” have?
“Wrestle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to grapple with an opponent, trying to throw or pin them down, often as a sport.
