as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
several chairs were knocked over in the scuffle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily
she scuffled along in shoes that were much too large for her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to wrestle
to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery
the burglar and the homeowner briefly scuffled together in the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scuffle
Marzio G. Mian,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
The two have had a personal scuffle online, after Gaethje made comments about his opponent's ex-wife.
—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
The three appear to scuffle near the front steps for about 10 seconds.
—
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Noun
There are videos documenting scuffles and violence, which threatens to complicate Albania’s scheduled 2030 entry into the European Union.
—
Marzio G. Mian,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
The two have had a personal scuffle online, after Gaethje made comments about his opponent's ex-wife.
—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Verb
The trial’s first witness was a video expert analyzing security video in which Anthony and Metcalf scuffled before Anthony fled toward the stadium exit.
—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
The three appear to scuffle near the front steps for about 10 seconds.
—
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle
Noun
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While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
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Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.
Verb
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The company has since shuffled several leaders, including naming a new human resources chief and the company’s first chief digital officer.
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The assistant shuffled to one side and the scene reset.
Verb
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While both parties have long wrestled with warring factions in their ranks, the ideological rift is on full display this year, especially among Democrats, as democratic socialists test just how far to the left voters are willing to go.
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Elaine Ferguson, co-founder of W5 Technologies, is wrestling with how to deal with crippling RAM costs and lead times for the communications equipment her company makes for defense contractors.
Noun
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Panama coach Thomas Christiansen lamented a new World Cup rule that has left his team mathematically eliminated before their final Group L game, with today's clash against England offering only a chance to claw back some pride.
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If the favorites move on, Spain and Portugal would provide one of the more entertaining clashes in the entire tournament.
Verb
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There's been some stumbling plays, thwarted by tripping and dramatic falls.
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The conversation stumbles on for a few moments, but Crook can’t find the words.
Verb
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Utah restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of July Fourth celebrations as the United States' largest wildfire expanded its reach across more tinder-dry forest, as crews rush to fight new blazes in the arid state.
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Plata was fighting a pretty strong German defense and a hold on his jersey to get up there.
Noun
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Riff argued the issue to halt the payout was not a legal battle but rather a political one.
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While the first half of the match was full of battles and speed runs from one goal to another, the players seem to be taking a more methodical pace after returning from the locker room.
Verb
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Now city officials are being asked to stomp the gas pedal on an ordinance that could speed the demise of some of downtown’s stateliest buildings — ones that help define its character, such as the old train station on Church Street, the Kress building and the Angebilt Hotel.
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On Monday night, a 39-year-old man wearing a Spurs jersey was stomped and punched after Game 3 while walking down West 47th Street, about 15 blocks from the arena.
Cite this Entry
“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffle. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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