as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
several chairs were knocked over in the scuffle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of scuffle
Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
After the ruling coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) approved the agenda, some opposition politicians ran out of their seats towards the parliamentary speaker and scuffled with security guards.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025
Sure, go get Andy Dalton, Kirk Cousins, or Jimmy G. Want a guy to look okay enough for one or two games but scuffles along for the next four or five?
—Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
In Jerusalem, some Israelis marched through the streets carrying mock coffins in protest at the ceasefire, blocking roads and scuffling with police.
—Andrew Mills, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Verb
The two men scuffled, and at some point, deputies were called.
—Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
After the ruling coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) approved the agenda, some opposition politicians ran out of their seats towards the parliamentary speaker and scuffled with security guards.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025
Sure, go get Andy Dalton, Kirk Cousins, or Jimmy G. Want a guy to look okay enough for one or two games but scuffles along for the next four or five?
—Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
In Jerusalem, some Israelis marched through the streets carrying mock coffins in protest at the ceasefire, blocking roads and scuffling with police.
—Andrew Mills, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle
Noun
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The Holy Roman Empire army did eventually move on from the camp, engaging in several skirmishes with the Swedish army stationed nearby.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
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Today’s group readies to replay the opening battle skirmish, practicing to get their roles down for the upcoming anniversary celebration.—
Melanie Stetson Freeman,
Christian Science Monitor,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Then, around 200 million years ago, Pangaea began splitting apart, a geological breakup that formed the Atlantic Ocean, and eastern North America shuffled toward its current position on the globe.—
Alexandra Witze,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Apr. 2025
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The Phillies can shuffle their rotation with the benefit of two upcoming off days.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This potential matchup immediately sparked considerable interest among fans, envisioning a unique blend of music and wrestling stardom colliding in the ring.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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The Rockets and Warriors grabbed and clutched and crashed to the court on Wednesday, with the Rockets wrestling a 109-94 victory in Game 2 of the best-of-seven first-round Western Conference series.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The following day, however, Mercury will meet Mars in a stubborn square, triggering a clash between the need for practicality and discernment versus the desire to express oneself boldly and with pride.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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India has been a nuclear power for over 50 years, possessing an arsenal that is publicly clandestine but capable in warfare—notably against its neighboring country, Pakistan, amid their decades-long clash over Kashmir.—
Nick Mordowanec
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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How did the world’s two largest economies stumble toward a trade war that neither truly seeks and which the rest of the world can’t afford?—
Zongyuan Zoe Liu,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Apr. 2025
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In 1857, Sam stumbled into the job that would shape his identity.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the final season of the Emmy-winning drama series, June will fight to take down Gilead with Luke and Moira joining the resistance, per Hulu.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
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Garry snapped Prates’ win streak and that of the dominant Fighting Nerds fight camp with a masterful game plan and nearly impeccable execution.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Lorna Romero Ferguson, a Republican political strategist based in Arizona, told the Washington Examiner that both parties are still going to have to battle over redistricting efforts and keep extremist candidates from the ballot box to stay competitive after the 2030 census.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2025
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Barner had a good rookie season and the battle between him and Arroyo will be interesting to watch.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And in the end, the untouched bread is stomped into the ground.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Balor stomped Mysterio, seemingly signaling a forthcoming break-up of the two longtime partners.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffle. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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