wrestling

noun

wres·​tling ˈre-sliŋ How to pronounce wrestling (audio)
ˈra-;
ˈre-sᵊl-iŋ, 
ˈra-
Synonyms of wrestlingnext
: a sport or contest in which two unarmed individuals struggle hand to hand with each attempting to subdue or unbalance the other

Examples of wrestling in a Sentence

My favorite sport is wrestling. He was on the wrestling team in high school.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Elayna Black started pro wrestling as a teenager in Chicago. — James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 Yet, just as quickly as the wrestling matches start, Dreyer will find the boys choosing to cuddle up with each other. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 24 June 2026 The move spares Rodriguez a punishing cut to 145 but drops him into the sport's deepest, most wrestling-heavy division. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 As the pro wrestling world celebrates Ospreay’s opportunity at All In, the looming shadow of The Death Riders grew substantially. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrestling

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrestling was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing wrestling

Browse Nearby Words

wrestler
wrestling
wrest pin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrestling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrestling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wrestling

noun
wres·​tling ˈres-liŋ How to pronounce wrestling (audio)
: the sport in which two contestants wrestle each other
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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