1
as in climbing
to move (as up or over something) often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling
the toddler scrambled up the stairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in disrupting
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
scrambled the letters of the word
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scrambling
At least 65 people were wounded across the city, Ukrainian officials said, in strikes that caused power outages and sent residents scrambling to shelters as air raid sirens sounded.
—
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
Arnaldi turned into some version of Carlos Alcaraz, scrambling all over the court, making miracle saves and darting winners down the line.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 1 June 2026
In recent years, chief executives have become targets of elaborate deepfakes scams, while scrambling to regulate the growing presence of bots across commerce, social media, and consumer platforms.
—Sam Birchall, Fortune, 1 June 2026
That left families who need registered nurses in their homes around the clock to keep their kids alive scrambling to find other options.
—Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 1 June 2026
With the Supreme Court shattering the district lines that created majority-Black seats in the American South and legislators scrambling to stay in office, the Congressional Black Caucus is wrestling over its identity.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Since the war began, global nitrogen fertilizer prices have jumped, sending agriculture officials around the world scrambling to offset costs and shore up supplies before the shortage hits food crops.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 June 2026
Federal officials have been scrambling to get countermeasures in place as drones increasingly are being used as weapons of war and terror.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
The Avs were scrambling to get back and cover every threat.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
Arnaldi turned into some version of Carlos Alcaraz, scrambling all over the court, making miracle saves and darting winners down the line.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 1 June 2026
In recent years, chief executives have become targets of elaborate deepfakes scams, while scrambling to regulate the growing presence of bots across commerce, social media, and consumer platforms.
—Sam Birchall, Fortune, 1 June 2026
That left families who need registered nurses in their homes around the clock to keep their kids alive scrambling to find other options.
—Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 1 June 2026
With the Supreme Court shattering the district lines that created majority-Black seats in the American South and legislators scrambling to stay in office, the Congressional Black Caucus is wrestling over its identity.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Since the war began, global nitrogen fertilizer prices have jumped, sending agriculture officials around the world scrambling to offset costs and shore up supplies before the shortage hits food crops.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 June 2026
Federal officials have been scrambling to get countermeasures in place as drones increasingly are being used as weapons of war and terror.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
The Avs were scrambling to get back and cover every threat.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrambling
Verb
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Nneka Ogwumike posted 20 points and 11 rebounds, passing franchise icon Lisa Leslie for most field goals in Sparks history and climbing to sixth on the WNBA’s all-time rebounding list.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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The sculpture, built as part of Kansas City’s annual Parade of Hearts, was made to be nearly indestructible — safe from children dangling from the bee’s antennas or climbing on the structure.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Lastly, azelaic acid can help reduce redness and breakouts gently, without disrupting the skin’s ecosystem.—
Tatiana Dias,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
-
Jim also reiterated his view that concerns about AI disrupting cybersecurity have proven misguided as digital threats become increasingly sophisticated.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
And all this after clambering up through the Championship play-offs last season.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
-
Dante and Virgil escape Hell by clambering down Satan's monstrous hide and through Earth's center of gravity.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Having gone into hiding, Walt ultimately manages to make some things right before shuffling off the mortal coil.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
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The move comes one year after the team promoted Saleh to general manager after another round of shuffling in its front office.—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Relocating a bird's nest is confusing for the parents, dangerous for the eggs, and, in most cases, against the law.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
-
Since tickets went on sale last year, there has been ongoing controversy surrounding the cost of attendance, from confusing (and expensive) ticket prices to high transit costs.—
Joe Murphy,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The spotted fish thrashes angrily, disturbing the waters so that the pool’s edge laps against the rock.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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Most were for assault of police officers while other allegations include theft, vandalism and disturbing the public order.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrambling. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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