wrestling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wrestling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the sport of wrestling or metaphorically to describe a struggle or conflict. Example: "He has been wrestling with the decision of whether to move to a new city for a job opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadly, because he has been one of the game's outstanding talents, but fittingly too, he ended his last World Cup final with a yellow card for one last argument, this on behalf of Dezotti whose dismissal for grabbing Kohler round the neck three minutes from the end and wrestling him to the ground was a bit hard.

The Guardian - Sport

Wrestling drama Foxcatcher, starring Steve Carell and Channing Tatum, has had its 20 December release put off; Grace of Monaco has been moved to March 2014 while re-edits are completed, while James Gray's The Immigrant is no nearer a confirmed US release after a poorly-received premiere at the 2013 Cannes film festival.

The Guardian - Film

If he's going to bring it back to British telly, he must sit on his instinct to make everything as big as possible and remember what he liked about wrestling in the first place.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As for the "Mandingo wrestling", one of the setpieces, in which two slaves fight to the death for their owners' amusement, Tarantino seems to have invented the ritual and borrowed its title from a 1970s novel and movie.

The Guardian - Opinion

So much of childhood and teenage life is bound up with mobile technology that it is hard to imagine wrestling these devices away from them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This weekend, Simon Cowell revealed that he'd like nothing more than to bring wrestling back to British television.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This is movie mogul madness at its zany best because it will be recalled that Ecclestone has spent a good deal of energy wrestling grand prix away from northern Europe (where water sprays randomly on the circuit via a process known to scientists as "rain") and staging them instead in the Middle East (where it doesn't).

The Guardian - Sport

"He taught us moves and the science behind wrestling that we never knew before".

The Guardian

A sense of devotion and duty meant Kennedy regarded himself as his family's primary carer, and wrestling with the pressure of supporting his paralysed brother and elderly parents exacerbated his struggle with alcoholism and what many of his friends and allies feared were periods of undiagnosed depression.

The Guardian

Mark Rutte is due to address parliament in The Hague this afternoon, where politicians are wrestling with the question of how to agree a budget for 2013.

The Guardian - Business

"I'm not a big drinker," Radzi says, "but I like hip-hop and Arsenal and wrestling.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "wrestling", be specific about the style (e.g., freestyle, Greco-Roman, professional) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the term "wrestling" without specifying whether you're referring to the competitive Olympic sport or the entertainment-based professional wrestling, as they differ significantly in rules and presentation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wrestling" is as a noun, referring to a sport or a form of combat. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it can also function as a verb (present participle), as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sport

20%

Film

10%

Less common in

TV & Radio

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wrestling" is a versatile term that functions primarily as a noun, denoting a sport or physical contest. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, ranging from news and sports to film and television. While the term's register is generally neutral, it's crucial to differentiate between Olympic and professional wrestling to avoid confusion. When using "wrestling", specify the style to ensure clarity. Related terms include "grappling match", "combat sport", and "hand-to-hand combat", each offering a nuanced perspective on the physical and competitive aspects of "wrestling".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrestling competition

Highlights the competition aspect.

grappling match

Focuses specifically on the grappling aspect of wrestling.

combat sport

Wrestling is a type of combat sport.

hand-to-hand combat

Highlights the physical confrontation inherent in wrestling.

grappling art

Highlights the skill and technique required.

physical struggle

Emphasizes the exertion and physical effort involved.

struggle for dominance

Shifts the focus to the competitive aspect and the aim of winning.

battle of strength

Highlights the physical power displayed in wrestling.

tussle

A more informal synonym for a physical struggle or fight.

close-quarters combat

Describes the confined nature of the physical engagement.

FAQs

How to use "wrestling" in a sentence?

"Wrestling" can be used to describe a sport, such as, "He enjoys watching professional wrestling on TV." It can also be used metaphorically: "The company is wrestling with a difficult decision."

What's the difference between "wrestling" and "grappling"?

"Grappling" is a broader term referring to any hand-to-hand combat that involves holds and throws. "Wrestling" is a specific type of grappling sport with established rules and techniques. So, wrestling is a subset of "grappling".

Which is correct, "wrestling match" or "wrestling competition"?

Both "wrestling match" and "wrestling competition" are correct, but they highlight different aspects. "Wrestling match" refers to a single bout, while "wrestling competition" refers to an event involving multiple matches. You could also use "wrestling tournament".

What can I say instead of "professional wrestling"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "sports entertainment" or "WWE" (if referring to World Wrestling Entertainment). Be aware that "sports entertainment" carries a different connotation.