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
Four Kenyan commercial banks — Credit Bank, Consolidated Bank, Development Bank of Kenya, and Access Bank Kenya — are actively scrambling to plug severe capital shortfalls after missing the Central Bank of Kenya’s strict minimum core capital deadline.
—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Once completed, more normal flows through the strait could be reestablished, allowing empty ships to start reentering the water to fill up and start taking long-sought-after oil to buyers who are scrambling for crude.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Helen Keller is scrambling to fill the gaps too, says Senegal country director Badiane.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 13 June 2026
Ruling upends August elections At the center of the controversy is an ambiguous ruling from the Missouri Supreme Court last month that left local election officials scrambling.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Franziska & Tom Werner/Tom Werner/Getty Images A new report this week showing inflation rising to its highest level in three years was just the latest in a series of economic developments that have left many Americans scrambling for ways to protect and grow their money.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Another layer to monitor is Murray’s scrambling ability.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 12 June 2026
Not long ago, Chicago drivers were scrambling to protect their catalytic converters.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
John Barker, Nourish Miami co-founder and community chef, spends his Friday mornings alongside volunteers scrambling eggs and seasoning shrimp.
—Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Once completed, more normal flows through the strait could be reestablished, allowing empty ships to start reentering the water to fill up and start taking long-sought-after oil to buyers who are scrambling for crude.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Helen Keller is scrambling to fill the gaps too, says Senegal country director Badiane.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 13 June 2026
Ruling upends August elections At the center of the controversy is an ambiguous ruling from the Missouri Supreme Court last month that left local election officials scrambling.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Franziska & Tom Werner/Tom Werner/Getty Images A new report this week showing inflation rising to its highest level in three years was just the latest in a series of economic developments that have left many Americans scrambling for ways to protect and grow their money.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Another layer to monitor is Murray’s scrambling ability.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 12 June 2026
Not long ago, Chicago drivers were scrambling to protect their catalytic converters.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
John Barker, Nourish Miami co-founder and community chef, spends his Friday mornings alongside volunteers scrambling eggs and seasoning shrimp.
—Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrambling
Verb
-
There were reckless acts such as climbing on moving and parked vehicles and vandalism like trashing a yellow cab.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
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Travel costs keep climbing in 2026, and a wellness retreat at home is becoming the smarter way to reset without spending thousands on flights and resort stays.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
In the bedroom, a Noguchi Akari lantern and antique French column topped with one of Gibbon’s ceramic vessels create a moment of interest without disrupting the room’s sense of calm.—
Kristen Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
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If the current Gulf War, marked by controversy over control of the Strait of Hormuz, does not end soon, the conflict may shift from attacks on the transport of oil by sea to disrupting vital potable water resources.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Not robots clambering over rigs.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
And all this after clambering up through the Championship play-offs last season.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The model of shuffling that the new result depends on, like Bayer and Diaconis’ before it, still assumes that the cards riffle down one by one, rather than in clumps.—
John Pavlus,
Quanta Magazine,
17 June 2026
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The Calgary Flames will play their final season at Scotiabank Saddledome before shuffling into Scotia Place in 2027.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Cancers can release this protein into the tumor microenvironment, where the molecule attaches to the T cells and change their ability to communicate with other cells, confusing the T cells and restricting their ability to survive and kill cancer.—
Charles J. Dimitroff,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
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While the numbers, nutrients, and ingredient lists may seem confusing at first, learning how to read nutrition labels can tell you a lot about what’s actually in the food.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Romantic from the first frame to the last, Park Chan-wook's 2022 masterpiece is a culmination of his steady and coherent approach to disturbing characters and his love for Hitchcock.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
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In addition, Field appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, was yelling, acting belligerently and was disturbing residents, including a mother with young children.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrambling. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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