scuffle

verb

scuf·​fle ˈskə-fəl How to pronounce scuffle (audio)
scuffled; scuffling ˈskə-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce scuffle (audio)

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
scuffle noun

Examples of scuffle in a Sentence

Children scuffled on the playground. Small creatures scuffled in the underbrush.
Recent Examples on the Web Two young shortstops who assuredly will begin the season in the minors are scuffling at the plate, too. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Their work with the extra man scuffled at times earlier in the season, but Colorado is operating at a scintillating 35.0% on the power play over the past 22 games. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2024 The two men scuffled, and Robinette drew his pocketknife, leaving Alexander with several cuts before others intervened, according to the documents. CBS News, 19 Feb. 2024 The Teams The vaunted Chiefs offense scuffled for much of the regular season but came alive in the playoffs by using more three-tight-end formations. Brett Knight, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 Though their 13-1 record suggests a cakewalk, Oakland scuffled through the first part of the season, even suffering a 31-point loss at New England. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 Police scuffled with demonstrators, who appeared to be trying to storm the boat, and Habeck was only able to reach land after switching to a different vessel. Iain Rogers, Bloomberg.com, 5 Jan. 2024 That’s why, for the past two weeks, a huge chunk of the internet’s attention has been focused on one baffling phenomenon in particular: What, exactly, is a Stanley cup, and why are suburbanites willing to scuffle over it in their most sacred space (their local Target)? Let’s recap. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2024 After students at a film school in Pune promoted the documentary screening, a group of more than 20 men barged onto campus on Tuesday, scuffled with students and set their posters aflame. Anant Gupta, Washington Post, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scuffle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps frequentative of scuff

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scuffle was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near scuffle

Cite this Entry

“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scuffle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scuffle

verb
scuf·​fle ˈskəf-əl How to pronounce scuffle (audio)
scuffled; scuffling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce scuffle (audio)
1
: to struggle roughly at close quarters
2
a
: to move with a scuff : scurry
b
: to scuff one's feet
scuffle noun

More from Merriam-Webster on scuffle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!