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 of scuffle

• 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

The two companies have scuffled in the past, with Deadline noting that Disney sent Character. — John Kell, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

The Chargers were scuffling on Sunday even before WR Ladd McConkey was sidelined with a chest injury (after a Justin Herbert pass steered him into a huge collision). — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The addition of Adams and Goodman onto the roster bring some intrigue for a club that has been severely scuffling. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026

The two dogs began scuffling and Molloy allegedly pulled out a gun and fired a shot, killing Luke. — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

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