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

Before Mbappe scored his penalty, Gustavo Velazquez, the Paraguayan defender, scuffed the penalty spot, another underhanded attempt to disturb the tournament favourites. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Defender Gustavo Velázquez was even busy trying to scuff up the penalty spot. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Noun

At the end of the day those new black sneakers had a white scuff mark that wouldn’t come off and the white part near the sole was less white. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 Yet, every sidewalk, shopping cart, and curb seems determined to leave behind a dark scuff mark. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuff

Verb

In the post, Wouter was pictured wearing a dog cone, which is used to prevent pets from licking, chewing or scratching surgical sites or wounds.

— Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Sure, plastic kitchenware can be cost-effective up front, but repeatedly replacing staples that have warped, scratched, or held onto lingering odors adds up over time.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of scratch

Verb

The video, made in collaboration with faceless director Lauzza, features buildings shuffling on beat and other excerpts of British culture.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Senate Leadership Fund, the main GOP Senate super PAC, also shuffled some of its reservations, removing $900,000 in broadcast buys in the state while adding $400,000 in digital ads.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Verb

Radiological scans also confirmed lesions on the dog’s right shoulder, and Cotelo recommended an operation to scrape the excess cartilage, Shin said.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
On a map, Newfoundland is a vast, asymmetrical island, cloven by bays and inlets, semi-detached to appendages of land deformed by ancient glaciers scraping over it, leaving glacial striations, grooves and gouges on its granite face.

— Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of scrape

Verb

Letter writers recalled how Paden saved his father’s life when a cow nearly stomped him to death in a field, after the elder Paden came between the cow and her calf.

— Glenn Rice, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
The Bulldogs visit Arkansas, which just got stomped by Utah, to open SEC play Saturday.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of stomp

Noun

The rattle of a bride’s gold earring or the rasp of straightener steam through a bride’s hair takes on a panic-inducingly eerie quality thanks to Marie-Clotilde Chery’s chilling sound design.

— Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
With her retro-soul rasp and ’60s style aesthetic, the English singer-songwriter, 20, has quickly become one of the biggest breakthrough acts of the year.

— Jeff Nelson, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

Definition of rasp

Verb

Before Quenneville arrived, the Ducks stumbled through a franchise-record seven straight losing seasons.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Early in the book, there’s a disturbing scene in which Cathy’s mother stumbles upon a half naked 10-year-old Cathy lying on the floor beneath two teenage boys.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of stumble

Browse Nearby Words

scuds

scuff

scuffed

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“Scuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuff. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scuff

verb

noun

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