tussle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tussle" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a physical struggle between two or more people or a dispute over something. For example: "The two brothers had a tussle over who would get the last piece of cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A sort of towels-on-the-sunlounger tussle writ large.

The Guardian - Travel

Among the many subplots to Sunday's Europa League tussle was a surprise call-up for Milan's 15-year-old forward Hachim Mastour.

The Guardian - Sport

The correspondence was disclosed after the Guardian won a decade-long legal tussle with the government, which had argued that publication of the letters would make it hard for Charles to maintain a position of public neutrality when he became king.

The Guardian

The last few days have seen a tussle between big businesses over whether or not Britain should stay in the EU.

The Guardian

The tussle between the two, made clear for all to see in this week's vote, will play a significant role in deciding the next election.

The Guardian

It didn't work out that way, as a tight tussle with Roddick turned into a battle of wills and Murray could find no answer to the No 6 seed's rocket serve at speeds of up to 143mph.

The Guardian - Sport

I certainly didn't have any clear idea how the tussle between Labour and the Conservatives would end: I kept changing my mind, often in line with the polls that I and others were reporting on.

The Guardian - Opinion

It had all the makings of a tight tussle, with both sides moving the ball well and crashing packs hard.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm interested to see a tussle on Twitter this morning between Josh Bornstein – a Melbourne lawyer involved with Open Labor, and some Labor folks.

The Guardian

Cathy McGowan, the independent candidate currently in a prolonged tussle with Coalition rightwinger Sophie Mirabella for the rural Victorian seat of Indi, has admitted that she is "not optimistic" about winning.

The Guardian

Some 25 years have gone by since the pair embarked on their first extraordinary, abortive five-month tussle for the world title.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tussle" when describing a physical or metaphorical struggle that is not necessarily prolonged or overly serious. It suggests a contained conflict or contest.

Common error

Avoid using "tussle" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "conflict", "dispute", or "contention" might be more appropriate. "Tussle" can sometimes sound too informal.

Linguistic Context

The word "tussle" functions primarily as a noun to describe a physical or verbal struggle. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples show it describing conflicts ranging from political disagreements to physical altercations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tussle" is a versatile term used to describe a physical or verbal struggle, often suggesting a contained or less serious conflict. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a grammatically correct and usable word in written English. While frequently found in news and media contexts, it's essential to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives like "conflict" or "dispute" in academic or highly formal settings. It's frequency is high, meaning is not a word to avoid and can be safely used with confidence, especially if you are targeting the general audience and you have a neutral communication style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scuffle

Implies a brief and unorganized physical fight.

struggle

Similar to "tussle", but often implies a more prolonged and serious conflict.

clash

Suggests a brief but intense confrontation, either physical or ideological.

conflict

A broader term indicating disagreement or opposition, which can be verbal or physical.

dispute

Usually refers to a disagreement or argument, often in a formal or legal setting.

contention

Highlights the act of arguing or competing, often over a specific issue.

brawl

Suggests a noisy and chaotic fight, often involving multiple people.

altercation

Indicates a heated argument or fight, usually in a public setting.

wrangle

Implies a drawn-out and often petty argument or negotiation.

squabble

Refers to a minor and often childish argument.

FAQs

How can I use "tussle" in a sentence?

You can use "tussle" to describe a physical fight or struggle, as in, "The children had a "tussle" over the toy". It can also describe a disagreement or conflict, like, "There was a "tussle" between the two companies over the contract".

What are some alternatives to the word "tussle"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "struggle", "conflict", "dispute", or "scuffle".

Is "tussle" a formal word?

"Tussle" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal word. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal writing might benefit from using alternatives like "conflict" or "contention".

What is the difference between a "tussle" and a "brawl"?

A "tussle" typically implies a smaller, less intense struggle or fight, while a "brawl" suggests a larger, noisier, and more chaotic fight often involving multiple people.