tussle vs contend

tussle is a noun but contend is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
tussle	Yes	No	Yes	No
contend	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, contend is a hypernym of tussle; that is, contend is a word with a broader meaning than tussle:

Other hypernyms of tussle include fight, struggle.

tussle (noun)	contend (noun)
disorderly fighting

tussle (verb)	contend (verb)
make messy or untidy	to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
fight or struggle in a confused way at close quarters	have an argument about something
	maintain or assert
	compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
	be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
	succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available