scrum

noun

ˈskrəm How to pronounce scrum (audio)
Definition of scrumnext
1
as in throng
a great number of persons or creatures massed together I had to fight my way through the scrum of holiday shoppers at the mall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups when the server spilled a drink on a customer, they got into a bit of a scrum before being separated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bedlam
British a place of uproar or confusion London's tube is quite a scrum during rush hour

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 scrum This comes on the heels of San Diego Comic Con, where increasingly basic International champion Kyle Fletcher was involved in an embarrassing and terribly acted press conference that was as real as an AEW media scrum. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 In one snap, the President, viewed from above, points his finger crossly, as if scolding a scrum of unruly children. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 The All Blacks scored again in the 22nd minute, foregoing a kick at goal from a penalty in favor a scrum 10 meters out. — ABC News, 18 July 2026 Boarding-day lunch at Carnival’s Lido Marketplace, for example, is a frenzied scrum of hangry travelers dragging oversized carry-ons through tight aisles. — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrum
  1. throng
  2. skirmish
  3. bedlam
  4. crowd
  5. clash
  6. madhouse
  7. swarm
  8. battle
Noun
  • Right in the middle of cheering, reveling masses was MARTA — a connective system of veins that efficiently moved the happy throngs.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That was illustrated by the massive media throng surrounding Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, just one table away from where Whittingham spoke to a slightly smaller crowd.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of throng
Noun
  • The eagle, beloved worldwide through a Big Bear nest livestream with mate Shadow and eaglets Sandy and Luna, was rescued emaciated after a skirmish with younger birds.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • There were one-on-one periods between the receivers and cornerbacks, a brief skirmish and extensive team periods.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • Against this bedlam, Rhaenyra tries to fashion herself a real queen.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • The scene around me was one of utter bedlam, with stadium officials even joining in the celebrations.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Definition of bedlam
Noun
  • While many teams boast capacity crowds, MLS needs to boost its streaming ratings.
    — Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But as demonstrations attracted larger crowds, the government was forced to acknowledge them and respond to their growing influence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of crowd
Noun
  • O’Donnell and Hasselbeck again publicly sparred over social media after the former replied to a question about their 2007 clash on the Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel podcast.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Pelley was fired after a clash with new 60 Minutes executive producer Nick Bilton.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • Whereas this evening in the Spanish Gothic madhouse of the United Theater, most every song from Melanie’s Hadean pageant is received with near word-perfect communalism.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 13 July 2026
  • Headphones are often my saving grace in this madhouse.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of madhouse
Noun
  • The swarms of flies that roamed the planet like a devouring fog enclosed the top of the tower, building new, shivering walls, buzzing in a frenzy of life and hunger.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 July 2026
  • The bright light attracts massive swarms of flying insects, chased by birds, which unwittingly get instantly vaporized mid-air by the invisible, high-temperature beams.
    — Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of swarm
Noun
  • Even now, weeks into efforts to battle misinformation, some residents hold mistaken views of the outbreak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • This was the first indication that Fred Johnson actually has the edge in the swing tackle battle.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of battle

Browse Nearby Words

scruffy
scrum
scrumptious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrum. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All