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

The umpire stepped up to keep Stark and Gonzales from getting any closer to one another, but the resulting scuffle led players to swarm the pair. — Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026

Candace Parker scores 21 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones adds 19 before both are ejected after a scuffle in the final minute as the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Detroit Shock 84-81 at Auburn Hills, Mich. — Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

Verb

Videos showed youths running through the event and scuffling with police before officers shooed attendees away. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026

The Padres played a seesaw game Saturday night before claiming an 8-7 win against the scuffling Blue Jays. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 13 July 2026