scuffle

scuf·fle

intransitive verb \ˈskə-fəl\

: to fight briefly and usually not very seriously

: to move quickly and with short steps

scuf·fledscuf·fling \-f(ə-)liŋ\

Full Definition of SCUFFLE

1

a :  to struggle at close quarters with disorder and confusion

b :  to struggle (as by working odd jobs) to get by

2

a :  to move with a quick shuffling gait :  scurry

b :  shuffle

— scuffle noun

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Examples of SCUFFLE

1. Children scuffled on the playground.
2. Small creatures scuffled in the underbrush.

Origin of SCUFFLE

perhaps frequentative of scuff

First Known Use: 1590

Related to SCUFFLE

Synonyms

barge, clomp, clump, flog [British], flounder, galumph, lump, plod, pound, scuff, lumber, shamble, shuffle, slog, slough, stamp, stomp, stumble, stump, tramp, tromp, trudge

Antonyms

breeze, coast, glide, slide, waltz, whisk

Related Words

drag, flop, haul; blunder, careen, dodder, lurch, reel, stagger, sway, teeter, totter, waddle, weave, wobble (also wabble)

Near Antonyms

drift, float, hang, hover, poise, waft

Rhymes with SCUFFLE

duffel, muffle, ruffle, shuffle, snuffle, truffle