scrabble

verb scrab·ble \ ˈskra-bəl \

Definition of scrabble

scrabbled; scrabbling play \ˈskra-b(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

1 :scrawl, scribble

2 :to scratch, claw, or grope about clumsily or frantically

3 a :scramble, clamber

b :to struggle by or as if by scraping or scratching

scrabble for survival

transitive verb

1 :scramble

2 :scribble

—

scrabbler

play \ˈskra-b(ə-)lər\ noun

See scrabble defined for English-language learners

See scrabble defined for kids

Examples of scrabble in a Sentence

She scrabbled around in her handbag for a pen.
He scrabbled at the slippery rock.

Recent Examples of scrabble from the Web

Presumably this means that, unlike the previous rear-wheel-drive Roadster, the next car will find all four wheels scrabbling for purchase while one’s corneas are pinned to the back of one’s skull.

— davey g. johnson, Car and Driver, "Tesla Offers Evangelists a Discount on Next Roadster, So We Know That Now," 14 July 2017
During cruising, the only sound was the muted crunch of Pirelli winter tires scrabbling for grip.

— don sherman, Car and Driver, "2018 Bentley Continental GT," 5 July 2017
While many of his teammates moved on, Virmidas became the Lithuanian equivalent of Abner Doubleday, serving as a coach for the one traveling team the country of 2.9 million could scrabble together.

— will graves, The Seattle Times, "MLB’s first Lithuanian learned the game where few play," 28 Apr. 2017
Since Theresa May's surprise announcement, parties, politicians and voters alike have been left scrabbling, trying to construct cohesive arguments and opinions from the detritus of the Brexit referendum.

— vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, "Britain’s $60 Billion Divorce Just Got Even Messier," 21 Apr. 2017
Since Theresa May's surprise announcement, parties, politicians and voters alike have been left scrabbling, trying to construct cohesive arguments and opinions from the detritus of the Brexit referendum.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Britain’s $60 Billion Divorce Just Got Even Messier," 21 Apr. 2017
The dog comes into being as a puppy, scrabbling with its littermates.

— jia tolentino, The New Yorker, "The Schmaltzy, Cinematic Dog Death Reaches Its Logical Endpoint," 28 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scrabble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.