wrestle with
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To agonize over (something); to debate a quandary or endeavor to come to a conclusion about a difficult issue.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I've been wrestling with your problem all night.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “wrestle with” mean?
To agonize over (something); to debate a quandary or endeavor to come to a conclusion about a difficult issue.
Is “wrestle with” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.