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

On Wednesday, with a scuffling Cubs offense clinging to a one-run lead in the eighth inning, Amaya stepped to the plate and attempted to bunt Matt Shaw over from first. —Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025

Immediately after the Mets took a four-run lead, the scuffling right-hander gave up four runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 5-5. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025

Motton also arrived on Main Street and started to scuffle with Crenshaw, who held a gun to Motton's head, prompting the officer to shoot Crenshaw, authorities said. —Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 24 June 2025

Marquez, who scuffled to start the season, now has a 2.94 ERA over his last six starts. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 18 June 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