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

Fertitta brushes off the scuffle between his president and Meloni. — CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

The preview also introduces viewers to the fictional state of Leonida, which is based on Florida, as Jason and Lucia drive around, hit the bars and get caught in scuffles, among other adventures. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Verb

The room was thick with the din of 1,400 men packed inside a stone box—their voices, the sound of feet scuffling on the floor, and their hands moving restlessly atop the tables, echoing. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

Protesters were seen pushing through police barricades and scuffling with security personnel as authorities attempted to stop the march. — Priyanka Salve,raksha Murali, CNBC, 23 July 2026