scuffle

verb

scuf·​fle ˈskə-fəl 

scuffled; scuffling ˈskə-f(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms

• shuffle
• stumble
• stomp

Examples of scuffle in a Sentence

Children scuffled on the playground.

Small creatures scuffled in the underbrush.

Recent Examples on the Web

Videos from the confrontation show Border Patrol agents scuffling with Martinez, shoving him to the ground at least twice. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 27 June 2025

Toronto’s bats got hot at the Seattle Mariners and beat down a scuffling San Diego Padres team earlier this month. —Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 May 2025

The Cubs could look to the scuffling Orioles for help on that front. —Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

United by music, divided on Israel: Eurovision tensions bubble up in famously neutral Switzerland At last year’s festival in Sweden, protests against Israel’s participation reached a fever pitch, with police scuffling with protesters as fans lined up to enter the stadium. —Andrew Jones, NBC news, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps frequentative of scuff

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scuffle

• scuffle hoe

Rhymes for scuffle

• duffel
• duffle
• muffle
• ruffle
• shuffle
• truffle
• reshuffle

Kids Definition

scuffle

verb

scuf·​fle ˈskəf-əl 

scuffled; scuffling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to struggle roughly at close quarters

2

a

: to move with a scuff : scurry

b

: to scuff one's feet

scuffle noun