wrestle

[ˈrɛsl]

wrestle Definition

• 1. to fight someone by holding them and trying to push them to the ground
• 2. to struggle to deal with a difficult problem or situation

Using wrestle: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "wrestle" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The two wrestlers were wrestling fiercely.

• Example

  He wrestled the gun out of the attacker's hand.

• Example

  I've been wrestling with this decision for weeks.

• Example

  She is wrestling with depression.

wrestle Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for wrestle

• grapple
• scuffle
• tussle
• struggle
• battle

Antonyms for wrestle

• cooperate
• yield

Idioms Using wrestle

• wrestle with the devil

  to struggle with temptation or evil

  Example

  He felt like he was wrestling with the devil when he was faced with the choice to cheat on his exam.

• wrestle with an alligator

  to face a very difficult or dangerous situation

  Example

  Taking care of three young children while working full-time felt like wrestling with an alligator.

• wrestle something to the ground

  to finally solve or overcome a difficult problem or situation

  Example

  After months of negotiations, they were finally able to wrestle the contract to the ground.

Phrases with wrestle

• wrestle with one's conscience

  to struggle with a moral dilemma or decision

  Example

  He was wrestling with his conscience over whether to tell the truth or not.

• wrestle with words

  to struggle to express oneself in words

  Example

  As a writer, she often wrestles with words to find the right ones to convey her ideas.

• wrestle with reality

  to struggle to accept or come to terms with a difficult reality

  Example

  After the death of his father, he had to wrestle with the reality of being the sole provider for his family.

Origins of wrestle

from Old English 'wrǣstlian', meaning 'to wrestle'

📌

Summary: wrestle in Brief

The verb 'wrestle' [ˈrɛsl] refers to fighting by holding and pushing someone to the ground, as well as struggling with difficult problems or situations. Examples include 'The two wrestlers were wrestling fiercely,' and 'She is wrestling with depression.' The phrase 'wrestle with one's conscience' denotes struggling with a moral dilemma, while 'wrestle with words' means struggling to express oneself. Idioms include 'wrestle with the devil,' meaning struggling with temptation, and 'wrestle with an alligator,' meaning facing a difficult situation.