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scrabble

1 of 2

verb

scrab·​ble ˈskra-bəl How to pronounce scrabble (audio)
scrabbled; scrabbling ˈskra-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce scrabble (audio)
Synonyms of scrabblenext

intransitive verb

1
2
: to scratch, claw, or grope about clumsily or frantically
3
b
: to struggle by or as if by scraping or scratching
scrabble for survival
scrabbler noun

scrabble

2 of 2

noun

1
2
3
: a repeated scratching or clawing

Examples of scrabble in a Sentence

Verb She scrabbled around in her handbag for a pen. He scrabbled at the slippery rock. Noun it'll be a long scrabble to pull ourselves out of poverty
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
This left the ruling Labour Party scrabbling. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025 Lawrence also finds a naivete to Grace’s agony: After scrabbling so hard at the walls that her fingertips bleed, Grace acts like a wounded child, taken aback by her own strength. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
The steering also lightens up as the 235-millimeter-wide rubber scrabbles to find grip, the wheels and tires smooth and floaty with just enough traction for rally racing fun. Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 Favorite Hobbies: Playing scrabble, writing, trivia. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for scrabble

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Dutch schrabbelen to scratch

First Known Use

Verb

1537, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrabble was in 1537

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scrabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrabble. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

scrabble

1 of 2 verb
scrab·​ble ˈskrab-əl How to pronounce scrabble (audio)
scrabbled; scrabbling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce scrabble (audio)
1
: to scratch or scrape about frantically with hands or paws
2
3
: to struggle by or as if by scraping or scratching
scrabble for a living
scrabbler noun

scrabble

2 of 2 noun
: an act or instance of scrabbling

More from Merriam-Webster on scrabble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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