Synonyms of scuffle

scuffle 1 of 2

noun

as in skirmish

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups

several chairs were knocked over in the scuffle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skirmish
• clash
• fight
• battle
• tussle
• brawl
• struggle
• altercation
• dustup
• fray
• fracas
• scrimmage
• confrontation
• contest
• conflict
• duel
• combat
• scrum
• quarrel
• melee
• fistfight
• spat
• scrap
• dispute
• rough-and-tumble
• fisticuffs
• blows
• pitched battle
• hassle
• punch-up
• ruckus
• squabble
• affray
• battle royal
• mix-up
• slugfest
• donnybrook
• tangle
• row
• tiff
• face-off
• controversy
• falling-out
• joust
• free-for-all
• ruction
• contretemps
• catfight
• punch-out
• broil
• misunderstanding
• wrangle
• cross fire
• disagreement
• grapple
• argument
• kickup
• handgrips
• argle-bargle
• argy-bargy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truce

scuffle

2 of 2

verb

ˈskə-fəl 

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

• shuffle
• stumble
• stomp
• barge
• clump
• lurch
• slough
• lump
• scuff
• tramp
• haul
• drag
• stump
• stamp
• flounder
• weave
• trudge
• galumph
• pound
• shamble
• lumber
• slog
• stagger
• plod
• sway
• blunder
• flop
• tromp
• flog
• reel
• waddle
• totter
• wobble
• careen
• dodder
• teeter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slide
• breeze
• coast
• glide
• whisk
• drift
• waltz
• hang
• float
• hover
• waft
• poise

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

• wrestle
• fight
• brawl
• tussle
• grapple
• battle
• rassle
• duel
• skirmish
• combat
• war (against)
• contend
• punch
• hit
• strike
• clash (with)
• slug
• box
• batter
• bash
• buffet
• spar
• beat

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scuffle

Noun

After the game, Auriemma and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley got into a scuffle during the postgame handshake. — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 8 July 2026

Cavalli, 27, was disciplined for his role in a scuffle that broke out during Washington’s game against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, including a comment that ignited the fracas. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Verb

The second-place White Sox (35-31) moved within a half-game of scuffling Cleveland atop the AL Central. — CBS News, 10 June 2026

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