as in struggle
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
it'll be a long scrabble to pull ourselves out of poverty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to climb
to move (as up or over something) often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling
we scrabbled up a sand dune to get a better view of the sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to fumble
to search for something blindly or uncertainly
he frantically scrabbled through the storage chest looking for the needed documents
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 scrabble
Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2019
Anthony was happiest being with family & friends, and enjoyed playing scrabble & cards.
—courant.com, 10 July 2019
Jane Siegel, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2025
When these three men were dominating the circuit, the rest of the field were reduced to scrabbling over the crumbs.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrabble
Noun
Across the street from her, a kinetic scrabble of orange and blue runs the height of a five-story brick building like an electric charge.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2019
Anthony was happiest being with family & friends, and enjoyed playing scrabble & cards.
—courant.com, 10 July 2019
Verb
People were scrabbling over these enormous piles far off in the distance.
—Jane Siegel, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2025
When these three men were dominating the circuit, the rest of the field were reduced to scrabbling over the crumbs.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrabble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrabble
Noun
-
From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The historic build-up stands in stark contrast to the United States’ own supply struggles.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Internationally, major hubs like Amsterdam Schiphol, Toronto Pearson and Tokyo Haneda saw cancellation numbers climb into the double digits.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Step by careful step, Holbrook climbed, holding out bologna and cheese until two pairs of cautious eyes peeked back.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Missouri couldn’t win on third down The Zollers fumble on third-and-10 summed up this area.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
-
While trying to stop the clock with only seconds remaining, Eastern Washington quarterback Jake Schakel fumbled the ball on a spike attempt with his team at the Montana 5-yard line.—
Alex Valdes,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Davidson Wildcats’ men’s basketball team hunted the three-ball early and often in the 40th edition of the battle for the Hornets’ Nest, connecting frequently on the way to a 62-55 victory over the Charlotte 49ers on Tuesday night.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
-
In a battle of NFC behemoths, the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles (7-2) escaped Green Bay with a 10-7 win.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Organizers insist there will be rooms for all and have scrambled to arrange extra accommodation, including on cruise ships, and are offering extra assistance to the most vulnerable nations.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The news sent airlines scrambling to rework their schedules right before the busy holiday travel season, with many travelers concerned about delays or cancellations for their upcoming flights.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Green Bay Packers will look to get back on track in Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering an upset loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The stream of remittances from relatives abroad, a consequence of more than 7 million Venezuelans fleeing the country under Maduro to look for better opportunities elsewhere, is also falling short.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The impact of losing enhanced premium subsidies The political fight around enhanced subsidies, which were enacted in 2021 under the Biden administration, is playing out during the ACA marketplace's open enrollment, when would-be enrollees are picking their health plans for 2026.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The fights are being broadcast on DAZN pay-per-view.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Indeed, as some of the dachshund pups clambered onto the bed and got close, the Labrador even looked up toward the camera as if calling in reinforcements for help.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
This is a deciduous vine that prefers a shady exposure, sips water, and will happily clamber up the branches of a native oak or any other tree.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scrabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrabble. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share