1
as in to scratch
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface
scuffed up her shoes by rubbing her feet under the rung of the chair
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily
the miners scuffed past in heavy boots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scuff
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Adding a rug to any room not only instantly warms up floors but also protects them from scuffs and scratches, especially in homes with children and pets.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 12 July 2025
Elizabeth Mangini, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2025
Liverpool are fortunate that Marcus Tavernier scuffs his shot straight at Alisson.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuff
Verb
The finish protects against scratches and scuff marks.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Adding a rug to any room not only instantly warms up floors but also protects them from scuffs and scratches, especially in homes with children and pets.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
Like many of her materials, the tires are obviously scuffed, frayed, or worn, alluding to a life before becoming an artist’s medium (she is said to have sourced them from the street and from auto body shops).
—Elizabeth Mangini, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2025
Liverpool are fortunate that Marcus Tavernier scuffs his shot straight at Alisson.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuff
Verb
-
Cozens is only scratching the surface in his brief Ottawa tenure, having been a member of the Senators for around 200 days.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Need to dust delicate surfaces like lampshades or shelves without scratching?—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Companies react with token fixes, making small austerity cuts, shuffling around leadership, and rebranding business units.—
Daniel Schmeltz,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
One member of the group, Joel Wenhardt, from Southern California, shuffled to the piano and flopped down on the bench.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The town’s departments are squeezed into tight quarters where the floor creaks with each step and thin walls make no conversation truly private.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Sep. 2025
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Inside the Sámi church, centuries-old wood creaks under candlelight—while at Nutti Sámi Siida (a reindeer lodge offering traditional Sámi experiences), visitors sip warm lingonberry juice and listen to joik songs.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In the tropics, where tall trees can scrape water out of the clouds, Hart said the timing of plant growth may be closely related to the availability of light and water.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
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Air fryers are made with a nonstick coating, and using any kind of utensil to scrape food from this surface will damage that surface.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Norwegian stomping clear of a defence caught too high up the pitch.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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At Harris Reed, platform Herman Munster shoes stomped and even tripped on the runway.—
Hanna McNeila,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unfortunately, Manchis' heroic deed left the dog with damage to her vocal chords, and her bark has shifted into a low rasp, Zarate added to the outlet.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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None of this would land without the heroic voice acting of Pamela Adlon, who subtly dials up his boyish vocal fry into the rasp of a grown man.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After a rocky start, Joey stumbles on some talents and goes to great lengths to impress Leonard in his audition for a play.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Sep. 2025
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One of them had stumbled upon Sleep Token at a music festival a few years ago and had been hooked on the band’s teachings ever since, while the other had flown to New York from rural Texas just to be at the evening’s show.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuff. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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