wrestle Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
grappling; grapple; wrestling; hand-to-hand struggle.
- they had a fierce wrestle
- we watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully
verb combat to overcome an opposing tendency or force
- He wrestled all his life with his feeling of inferiority
verb engage in deep thought, consideration, or debate
- I wrestled with this decision for years
verb to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
twist; writhe; worm; wriggle; squirm.
- The prisoner writhed in discomfort
- The child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace
verb engage in a wrestling match
- The children wrestled in the garden

OE. wrestlen, wrastlen, AS. wrstlian, freq. of wrstan to wrest; akin to OD. wrastelen to wrestle. See Wrest, v. t.

imperfect & past participle Wrestled ; present participle & verbal noun Wrestling

To contend, by grappling with, and striving to trip or throw down, an opponent; as, they wrestled skillfully.
To-morrow, sir, I wrestle for my credit, and he that escapes me without some broken limb shall acquit him well. Shak.

Another, by a fall in wrestling, started the end of the clavicle from the sternum. Wiseman.
Hence, to struggle; to strive earnestly; to contend.
Come, wrestle with thy affections. Shak.

We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Eph. vi. 12.

Difficulties with which he had himself wrestled. M. Arnold.

A struggle between two persons to see which will throw the other down; a bout at wrestling; a wrestling match; a struggle.
Whom in a wrestle the giant catching aloft, with a terrible hug broke three of his ribs. Milton.