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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- wrestles
- Third person singular
- wrestles
- Past tense
- wrestled
- Archaic forms
- wrestlest, wrestledst, wrestleth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Related words
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.
