scuff 1 of 2

verb

ˈskəf How to pronounce scuff (audio)
Definition of scuffnext
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

scuff

2 of 2

noun

as in scratch

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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
Bootleg’s production deepens the sense of mystery, cranking the reverb and scuffing the surfaces. — Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 22 July 2026 Kostyuk raised her hands and dropped to her knees after Paolini scuffed a shot on her second match point. — ABC News, 8 July 2026
Noun
Painted Walls Walls get dirty easily, from fingerprints from children’s sticky hands to scuff marks from furniture. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for scuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuff
  1. scratch
  2. shuffle
  3. creak
  4. scrape
  5. stomp
  6. rasp
  7. stumble
Verb
  • The Senators’ most head-scratching trade of the summer, acquiring him for a 2027 sixth-round pick, has proved fruitless.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • State inspections also cited other pests (roaches and flies), as well as staff hygiene issues, including one employee seen scratching their nose then handling clean utensils.
    — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of scratch
Verb
  • Findings of no effect tend to either be shuffled off to low-profile journals or left behind as unpublished lab lore.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026
  • For the most part, this was a second consecutive solid performance by a group that will likely undergo major personnel shuffling all season.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Noun
  • Jess Alder says dollhouse props fly off shelves, and the old building’s creaks can make closing time a little unsettling.
    — Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The distressed creak of nylon straps as the second coffin was lowered into the grave brought me back to the now.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of creak
Verb
  • By 2022 — four years after the contract had expired — Olsen was ailing and DeFalco was trying to scrape together money to pay for Olsen’s caregiver.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The company says the update is not about scraping news sites.
    — Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of scrape
Verb
  • Kylie Minogue had a massive moment in custom metallic Bared boots onstage for the AFL Grand Final, while Alix Earle opted for the brand’s Hillstar boots in black leather to stomp around the Coachella fairgrounds back in April.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • His creator, an unnamed basket-weaver (Peter Dinklage), braided him as a mate for a lonely virgin, a fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) who stomps around her rustic village smelling like sushi and tossing her head back in an Eliza Doolittle guffaw.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of stomp
Noun
  • The lower and mid frequencies are clear here, which plays nicely into Callahan’s baritone vocals, though some of the rasp is lacking.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Use a rasp and grate a couple of tablespoons right into the raw meat mixture before mixing.
    — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of rasp
Verb
  • Johnson had nothing but space, and stumbled to make one move before reaching the end zone for his first career touchdown.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • After stumbling into an intro to acting class, the 28-year-old quickly caught the professor’s attention.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of stumble

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Cite this Entry

“Scuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuff. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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