RES-uhl
/ˈɹɛsəl/
wrestle is pronounced RES-uhl (/ˈɹɛsəl/). Wrestle (verb) means to engage in close physical combat or struggle with someone, often using grappling and holds. It can also describe striving or contending with a task or problem, sometimes with effort, persistence, or persistence. The term covers athletic wrestling as well as figurative battles, emphasizing force, effort, and technique rather than mere fighting or argument.
Wrestle (verb) means to engage in close physical combat or struggle with someone, often using grappling and holds. It can also describe striving or contending with a task or problem, sometimes with effort, persistence, or persistence. The term covers athletic wrestling as well as figurative battles, emphasizing force, effort, and technique rather than mere fighting or argument.
"The two athletes squared off to wrestle for control of the championship belt."
"She would wrestle with the decision, weighing pros and cons before acting."
"The kids wrestle playfully on the mat during gym class."
Pronounce as /ˈrɛsˌtəl/ in broad US and UK. Start with the 'wr' blend: lips rounded, initial /r/ with light touching of the tongue tip near the alveolar ridge, leading into /ɛ/ as in 'red', then a light /s/ before the 't' onset. The second syllable carries a reduced schwa /ə/ or /ə/ with a final /l/. Emphasize primary stress on the first syllable: WRES-tle. Listen to native samples on pronunciation tools for exact timing.
Common errors include adding an 'r' after the w (pronouncing wr-r- estle), pronouncing the second syllable as a full vowel like 'tell' (/tɛl/) instead of a reduced /-əl/, and overly articulating the /s/ between /r/ and /t/. To correct: relax the /r/ into the /r/ blend with the /w/, reduce the second syllable to /-əl/ or /-əl/ with a light touch, and connect the /ɹ/ smoothly to /ˈrɛs/. Compare with similar words like 'wrest' and 'wrested' in short practice.
In US English, /ˈrɛs.təl/ with strong rhotic /ɹ/. In UK English, /ˈres.təl/ often with less pronounced 'r' in non-rhotic variants but the /r/ may appear before a vowel in linked speech. In Australian English, /ˈɹɛs.təl/ approaches US-like rhoticity; the /ə/ in the second syllable tends to be a schwa with a slightly shorter duration. The primary stress remains on the first syllable across accents; vowel quality in /ɛ/ remains consistent but may border on a slightly lower or higher vowel depending on speaker.
The difficulty comes from the consonant cluster at the start (wr- blend) and the quick reduction of the second syllable to /-əl/ instead of a fully pronounced /əl/. The /r/ and /w/ must blend without producing a visible double articulation, which can feel awkward for non-native speakers. Additionally, the shift from /ɛ/ to a light /s/ before /t/ requires precise timing to avoid a lisp-like effect. Practicing with minimal pairs helps stabilize the transition.
Yes: treat /ˈrɛs/ as a compact onset and avoid separate spelling-sound mapping for the 'wr' cluster. The /t/ should be a light alveolar stop that tucks in quickly before the final /əl/. Imagine saying 'red' quickly, then softly finishing with 'l', avoiding an extra vowel between /s/ and /t/. Emphasize the shortness of the second syllable and keep the mouth slightly closed for the /əl/.
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Wrestle derives from the Old English word wræstlian or wrætlian, rooted in Germanic languages. Its earliest forms appear in Old English as wræstlian or wrestlian, signifying to twist, wrench, or pull, especially in grappling or pulling actions. The semantic core centers on forceful twisting and grappling, later widening to include figurative struggles against difficulties. The noun wrestle appears in Middle English as wrestlen, with related forms in Dutch (wringen) and German (Ringen). The development shows a shift from physical pulling to include a broader sense of 'struggling with' an issue or problem. First known usage in modern English literature traces to the 12th-13th centuries, with the word appearing in texts describing physical combat and contest. Over centuries, wrestling as sport codified rules and techniques around holds, pins, and takedowns, while the figurative use of wrestle gained prominence in everyday language, describing mental, moral, or logistical battles. The word retains its dual persona: a physically demanding act and a metaphor for any strenuous effort or conflict, reflecting a universal human experience of effort against resistance.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "wrestle" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "wrestle" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "wrestle"
-tle sounds
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