1
as in throngs
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 skirmishes
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 madhouses
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 scrums
Rebounding was a recurring problem, leading to chaotic scrums in front of the net.
—
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Those in the organization who spoke with The Athletic over the phone and in media scrums Tuesday spoke of two important psychological traits, and two important offensive characteristics.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 19 May 2026
No awkward scrums with the media grilling him about a slump Saturday morning ahead of Game 3 of this second-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
The game featured several scrums after the whistle, a spirited fight between Montreal’s Josh Anderson and Tampa Bay’s Declan Carlile, and seven 10-minute misconducts — culminating in 126 penalty minutes.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Lawmakers have cycled through classified briefings, TV interviews and hallway scrums with reporters, but have taken little formal action related to Trump’s war efforts — just two unsuccessful votes aimed at limiting the conflict.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The heat turned up in the second, with a few post-whistle scrums, then a full-on fight between Wild defenseman Jake Middleton and Knights winger Keegan Kolesar that earned each of them a five-minute timeout.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
Not just tall, the physical trio of defensive midfielder Tverskov (6-1,183 pounds), defender Chris McVey (6-3 ½ , 181 pounds) and forward Marcus Ingvartsen (6-1 ½, 168 pounds) can thrive in scrums.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Despite that, Concepcion always embraced his time in media scrums, shook everyone's hand before and after and showed confidence while doing so.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Those in the organization who spoke with The Athletic over the phone and in media scrums Tuesday spoke of two important psychological traits, and two important offensive characteristics.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 19 May 2026
No awkward scrums with the media grilling him about a slump Saturday morning ahead of Game 3 of this second-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
The game featured several scrums after the whistle, a spirited fight between Montreal’s Josh Anderson and Tampa Bay’s Declan Carlile, and seven 10-minute misconducts — culminating in 126 penalty minutes.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Lawmakers have cycled through classified briefings, TV interviews and hallway scrums with reporters, but have taken little formal action related to Trump’s war efforts — just two unsuccessful votes aimed at limiting the conflict.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The heat turned up in the second, with a few post-whistle scrums, then a full-on fight between Wild defenseman Jake Middleton and Knights winger Keegan Kolesar that earned each of them a five-minute timeout.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
Not just tall, the physical trio of defensive midfielder Tverskov (6-1,183 pounds), defender Chris McVey (6-3 ½ , 181 pounds) and forward Marcus Ingvartsen (6-1 ½, 168 pounds) can thrive in scrums.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Despite that, Concepcion always embraced his time in media scrums, shook everyone's hand before and after and showed confidence while doing so.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrums
Noun
-
Just a forehand shot away from the red clay courts, Auteuil is an authentic pocket of Paris that’s far from the tourist throngs—and the stereotypes sometimes saddled on it by east-leaning Parisians.—
Mary Winston Nicklin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
The Israel Day parade has always been a must-attend event for mayors, governors and other political leaders to celebrate the Jewish state with throngs of revelers who pack Fifth Avenue.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Inconspicuous blows against Denver escalated to skirmishes.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
Thankfully, none of these skirmishes affects the guests’ satisfaction with the trip.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Now is the time to get ahead of the swarms by controlling bagworms, aphids, whiteflies, stinkbugs, and Japanese beetles.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
-
Even advanced swarms often depend on stable communications and relatively simple coordination logic.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Outside the facility’s gates, there have been clashes between federal immigration officials and demonstrators.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Days of protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Newark, New Jersey, have led to clashes between demonstrators and officers and a handful of arrests.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Blank believes his grandpa would have appreciated the way this year’s Mavericks team plays, with an emphasis on getting on base, small ball, run manufacturing, pitching depth, and quality defense over trying to out-slug teams with hordes of homers.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
-
Great hordes of prehistoric-looking horseshoe crabs also are coming in to spawn.—
Charles Seabrook,
AJC.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
To those who knew him, Lemieux could be surprisingly vulnerable, Shanahan said, noting the friendship Lemieux forged with Red Wings enforcer Darren McCarty despite multiple fights in their careers.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Those offenses could include public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fights and noise disturbances.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Exotic animals were not typically a feature of carnivals; circuses, yes, but not carnivals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
In terms of performances and safety, the Triton Troupers Circus is like other circuses.—
Myrna Petlicki,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Looking for more ways to entice flocks of birds to your yard?—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
-
In a West Bank spring where Palestinians used to rest and water their flocks, Israeli settlers now swim.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrums. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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