SCUFFLE Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

scuffle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scuffle

as in skirmish

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups several chairs were knocked over in the scuffle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truce

scuffle

2 of 2

verb

ˈskə-fəl

as in to shuffle

to move heavily or clumsily she scuffled along in shoes that were much too large for her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to wrestle

to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery the burglar and the homeowner briefly scuffled together in the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of scuffle

Noun

Williams saw similar actions from Vrabel last summer, when the Patriots head coach dove into a pile to break up a scuffle between his team and the Washington Commanders. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 Throughout his scuffles, however, Boone felt Grisham had gotten more aggressive inside the strike zone. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

Protesters were seen pushing through police barricades and scuffling with security personnel as authorities attempted to stop the march. — Priyanka Salve,raksha Murali, CNBC, 23 July 2026 Despite Chisholm’s late heroics, the Yankees’ scuffling offense certainly could have made things easier, as there were a few other opportunities to tack on runs. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scuffle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle

Noun

There were certainly more skirmishes between the Eagles offense and Patriots defense.

— Zach Berman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Players from the Cowboys and the Saints threw punches during several skirmishes throughout the joint practice, which was conducted in uncommonly hot, humid weather in the coastal town.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

Since Brian Schottenheimer lasted six years, from 2006 until 2011, the Jets have shuffled through 10 offensive coordinators (including Reich), and none lasted for more than two seasons.

— Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The line shuffles forward quickly, and my heart knots in my chest as Heartfillers are dosed to each person up ahead.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Verb

Researchers are already documenting these effects, which threaten to render the hard work of wrestling with ideas a lost art.

— Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
James, who seems to be wrestling with the issue of faith more than the others, thinks all of them might be dead.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrestle

Noun

Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has vented his fury at the BBC over its handling of his Strictly Come Dancing exit following a clash with Sherlock star Amanda Abbington.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
Police special forces responded with flash grenades during the clashes, which officials said lasted until the early hours of Sunday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of clash

Verb

The Miami Dolphins stumbled through a lopsided preseason loss to the New York Giants, sustained a key injury and continued sorting through roster questions before the season opener.

— Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Most injuries occurred as residents were tossed from beds or stumbled in the dark; trains and airport links were briefly disrupted, a Tokyo water main burst, and hundreds lost power.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

That’s exactly what happened with money market funds, another savings instrument that the banks fought using questionable arguments, only to be proven wrong.

— Omid Malekan, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
The team comes up with scenarios in which Emi fights a mech or battles yakuza in the clouds, and the fights defy expectations.

— Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

The twin springs that gave the Revolutionary War battle its name are no more, inundated by the 1940s project that flooded the Santee River basin for hydroelectric power and flood control.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Outrageousness seems to be the point of these battles, which have no apparent criteria, judges, or rules.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

Their father, Jamie, always seemed to be around, smiling and shouting and stomping his feet.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Achord bounces on his toes like an impatient little kid watching his guys work, stomps his right foot on the ground and vaults his right arm forward to demonstrate how someone should return a kick.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of stomp

Browse Nearby Words

scuffing (up)

scuffle

scuffled

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Style

“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffle. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scuffle

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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