wrestle

Wrestle is a verb with several related senses. In physical terms, to wrestle means to engage in close grappling with another person, typically attempting to gain control and bring the opponent to the ground or pin them. It can also mean to wrest control, possession, or advantage from someone by force or persistence. In figurative use, people may say they are wrestling with a problem or decision, meaning they are struggling to find a solution.

As a sport, wrestling refers to a family of grappling-based disciplines. In the modern era, the two main competitive styles are freestyle and Greco-Roman. In Greco-Roman rules, holds below the waist are not permitted, while freestyle allows attacks on the legs. Wrestling is practiced worldwide at amateur and professional levels, including schools, clubs, and national teams, and is governed internationally by United World Wrestling.

The sport features bouts on a square mat, typically divided into periods. Scoring rewards control of the opponent, takedowns, reversals, exposures, and pins; a fall, when both shoulders are held to the mat, ends the match immediately. Techniques emphasize grip fighting, leverage, balance, and conditioning, with athletes specializing in various positions and strategies.

Wrestling has ancient roots and is among the world's oldest combat sports. It appears in many cultures and has evolved into a formal sport with international competitions, including the Olympic Games. The term wrestle itself derives from Old English and related Germanic roots that convey twisting or pulling. Beyond competition, wrestling influences physical education, training methods, and popular culture and remains a common metaphor for struggle in everyday language.