Meaning & use

tackle

verb·Everyday

To deal with a difficult task or problem directly, or to physically stop an opponent, especially in sport.

See it in a sentence

The team decided to tackle the budget shortfall by cutting unnecessary expenses first.

The defender tackled the striker just before he reached the penalty area.

A note on using this word

Tackle works both for abstract problems, as in 'tackle an issue,' and for physical sports contact, most commonly in football, rugby, and soccer.

Words with a similar meaning

addressconfrontgrapple with

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

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