verb Uncommon

wrestle

REHSL

Wrestle (verb) means to grapple with an opponent, trying to throw or pin them down, often as a sport. Example: “The two boys wrestled playfully on the living room floor.”

verb

To grapple with an opponent, trying to throw or pin them down, often as a sport.

"The two boys wrestled playfully on the living room floor."

To struggle with a difficult problem or decision.

"She spent all night wrestling with the decision to change careers."

How to use wrestle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo physically grapple with someone, or to struggle mentally with a tough problem.

Common pairings

wrestle with a decision wrestle an opponent wrestle with guilt

Word forms

wrestled past tense, wrestle plural, wrestled plural, wrestles plural, wrestles singular, wrestle singular, wrestled singular, wrestlest singular, wrestledst singular, wrestleth singular

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The two boys _____ playfully on the living room floor.

Etymology

From Old English wrǣstlian, "to wrestle" — related to "wrest", meaning to twist or pull forcefully.

Origin: Old English

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.