SCUFF Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

scuff 1 of 2

verb

ˈskəf

Definition of scuff

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

as in to shuffle

to move heavily or clumsily the miners scuffed past in heavy boots

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scuff

2 of 2

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 scuff

Verb

In a Facebook message Tuesday afternoon, Steele said his vehicle suffered minor damage when the Jeep swiped its front end, including black rubber scuffs on his hubcap. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 23 June 2026 And just like that, from scuffed to spotless. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 5 June 2026

Noun

Not only do the records feature scuff marks and price tags, but poems and doodles—as if the blankness was begging to be filled in. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026 Normal wear and tear, such as minor scuffs, small nail holes, or ordinary carpet wear, is part of renting and generally cannot be deducted. — Stacker, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for scuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuff

Verb

Some scratches early in this past season led to reports of Mintyukov requesting a trade, but the smooth-skating blueliner improved his play and settled in on Anaheim’s second defense pairing.

— Eric Stephens, New York Times, 5 July 2026
In a game not known for high scores, the pace of goals in this World Cup has left some fans scratching their heads.

— Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Definition of scratch

Verb

The Chicago Cubs have been shuffling the lower levels of their organization ahead of the trade deadline, looking to recapture some strong momentum from the beginning of the season to help drive a playoff push in the second half.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
One Wednesday evening in May, at the boutique hotel Dream Hollywood — located just off the Walk of Fame — a young hotel staff member shuffled over to her co-worker to discuss a special guest on the top floor.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of shuffle

Noun

Prairie grasses and bonnet strings whip in the wind as the creak of wagon wheels carries across the rippling grassland.

— Alicia Underlee Nelson, Midwest Living, 22 June 2026
Iwerks worked with Bonnie Wild, a sound mixer whose credits include multiple Marvel and Star Wars projects, to piece together all of the sound from scratch — every creak of metal, every footstep and hammer, and every tractor driving across concrete.

— Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026

Definition of creak

Verb

When a user asked boat-botany why New Reddit isn’t scraped as often as Old Reddit, the Reddit employee pointed to a comment by another user.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026
Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with ⅓ cup sour cream in 2 additions (about 2½ tablespoons each), scraping down bowl as needed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026

Definition of scrape

Verb

The name Chelydra serpentina evokes colossal reptiles stomping through ancient forests.

— Hannah Smith July 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
If anything, the dichotomy between the pop star who prances around Versailles in a sheer nightie and the pop star who stomps onstage in knee-high combat boots feels completely authentic and intentional.

— Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

Definition of stomp

Noun

Like Dijon, svn4vr uses a dexterous, soulful rasp to fight for emotional truth from within songs that occupy shifting senses of space and bear the seams of digital assembly.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
Deep and smoky with impressive control and just a touch of Etta James rasp, Spiro’s is a voice not so much influenced by jazz legends like Winehouse or Nina Simone but rather a direct descendant.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026

Definition of rasp

Verb

After a chance meeting saving the life of a reporter, Dez stumbles across a vast conspiracy and now must stop the forces intent on keeping their secrets safe.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 July 2026
The hole was discovered in early April when a volunteer on a weekend cemetery clean-up day stumbled upon it.

— Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Definition of stumble

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“Scuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuff. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of scuff

verb

noun

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