Synonyms of scrabbled

scrabbled

verb

past tense of scrabble

1

as in climbed

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

• climbed
• scrambled
• clambered
• swarmed
• ascended
• scaled
• shimmied
• clawed
• shinnied
• surmounted
• shinned
• sprawled
• struggled
• mounted
• skinned
• breasted
• summited
• got up
• free-climbed

2

as in fumbled

to search for something blindly or uncertainly

he frantically scrabbled through the storage chest looking for the needed documents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fumbled
• looked
• reached
• fished
• groped
• felt
• clutched
• grabbed
• snatched
• hunted
• rummaged
• raked
• grabbled
• seized
• scoured
• combed
• cast about
• captured
• corralled
• rifled
• nailed
• sought (out)
• dredged
• ransacked
• nabbed
• dug (through)
• got

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scrabbled

With the June 2 primary weeks away and many voters still undecided, candidates scrabbled for airtime and breakout moments during the chaotic 90-minute debate. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

The Eagles have scrabbled at multiple offensive schemes while leveraging the strength of their defense. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026