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
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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
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Recent Examples of scrum
Ange Postecoglou, his predecessor, did not care about dead-ball situations and compared them to a scrum in rugby, but PSG could not cope with what Tottenham mustered from them last night.
—
Jay Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Most impressive sight of today’s practice was watching Hill carry Eskridge out of the scrum with one hand.
—Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
At least 30,000 people sat in front of Snyder on the Polo Field in Golden Gate Park, and what had been only modestly noticed to that point would now pass into legend via an astonishing media scrum.
—Dennis McNally, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
The scrum started after Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson collided with a Commanders defender who was blocking for his quarterback Drake Maye, leading the players on the field to join in on the scuffle.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrum
Jay Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Most impressive sight of today’s practice was watching Hill carry Eskridge out of the scrum with one hand.
—Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
At least 30,000 people sat in front of Snyder on the Polo Field in Golden Gate Park, and what had been only modestly noticed to that point would now pass into legend via an astonishing media scrum.
—Dennis McNally, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
The scrum started after Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson collided with a Commanders defender who was blocking for his quarterback Drake Maye, leading the players on the field to join in on the scuffle.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrum
Noun
-
Race day is sensory overload; a heaving throng in shorts and sneakers, in charity tops and fancy dress.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
In the accompanying music video, NBATAE, clad in a San Antonio Spurs jersey and shades, is wheeled around his neighborhood while surrounded by a throng of supporters, immediate and extended family.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still one of the NFL’s nastiest division rivalries, the game was full of skirmishes and a near-costly unnecessary roughness penalty late in the third against the Eagles that put the Cowboys in position to take the lead.—
Dan Gelston,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Ideological skirmishes over the motives and obligations of Carpenter’s music include both sincere interrogation of its feminism and smirking counteractive reprisals to that scrutiny.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Just as much bedlam erupted here at Weird and Wild World HQ.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Their journey to the Comiskey concert was typical of the bedlam that accompanied their performances.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Over the weekend, massive crowds gathered in downtown Chicago to protest a federal takeover and voice support for immigrants, according to WLS.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Beneath the canopy of a giant Ethiopian flag, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed a crowd of dignitaries including the presidents of Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Those clashes became viral videos that cemented his reputation as a culture warrior.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
On November 25, the La Liga holders travel to Stamford Bridge for a mouthwatering clash with the reigning Club World Cup kings.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The madhouse of awards season and all its many, many controversies — not to mention an ongoing parade of natural and man-made disasters — has until now perhaps overshadowed some of the year’s lower-stakes joys.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2025
-
But things move fast in the Goodison madhouse.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The earthquake swarm—rare for the earthquake—prompted the South Carolina Emergency Management Division to urge residents to review earthquake preparedness steps and insurance options.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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At the same time, the side that can deploy drone swarms in larger quantities than interceptors will retain an offensive advantage.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When a person is gravely ill, they’re often forced to fight two battles, one against their sickness and the other against the insurance company.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Looking back at Charlotte’s recent FCS opponents, dating back to 2021, the 49ers haven’t won the turnover battle in any of the four matchups, resulting in uncomfortably close games and even a lopsided loss to William & Mary in 2022.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrum. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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