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

• barge
• clump
• flog [British]
• flounder
• galumph
• lumber
• lump
• plod
• pound
• scuff
• shamble
• shuffle
• slog
• slough
• stamp
• stomp
• stumble
• stump
• tramp
• tromp
• trudge

Examples of scuffle in a Sentence

Children scuffled on the playground.

Small creatures scuffled in the underbrush.

Recent Examples on the Web

After scuffling for most of his early Masters career, DeChambeau has now recorded consecutive top-six finishes. —Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

After scuffling publicly with the government of Colombia for hours Sunday on social media over the question of letting U.S. deportation flights land, Trump and the White House announced that Colombia’s concession means the president’s bark would not bite after all. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 27 Jan. 2025

Quinn is a good defensive coach who has been scuffling all season and Lattimore is a difference-maker. —Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

The two men scuffled, and at some point, deputies were called. —Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 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