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
Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
The 29-year-old right-hander, who had Tommy John surgery 8 years ago, is 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts this season for a scuffling Yankees club that had lost five consecutive games.
—Mike Fitzpatrick, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2025
With Lindor scuffling at the plate, the Mets moved him down to second in the order as a DH, with Ronny Mauricio playing shortstop.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025
Videos from the confrontation show Border Patrol agents scuffling with Martinez, shoving him to the ground at least twice.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Verb
While Shaw is back in Iowa and Brown is scuffling as a starter, Busch has been raking as well.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
The 29-year-old right-hander, who had Tommy John surgery 8 years ago, is 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts this season for a scuffling Yankees club that had lost five consecutive games.
—Mike Fitzpatrick, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2025
With Lindor scuffling at the plate, the Mets moved him down to second in the order as a DH, with Ronny Mauricio playing shortstop.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025
Videos from the confrontation show Border Patrol agents scuffling with Martinez, shoving him to the ground at least twice.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle
Noun
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The only skirmish Wednesday was sparked by some trash-talking between Chuba Hubbard and Jenkins — yes, same Jenkins — and peaked when Jenkins threw a football at Hubbard’s helmet.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Aug. 2025
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Attorney: Separate skirmishes, no 'racist mob' Fox told The Enquirer that national and local voices have mischaracterized what actually happened.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The coaching staff shuffled its depth chart, handing extra reps to players who had performed well over the previous nine practices and deserved a longer look.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
4 Aug. 2025
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From ones that incorporate fans to odes to classic binge-worthy TV, with the help of social media, everyone’s creative wheels are turning — and people are learning one new step after another, feet shuffling, turning, stepping with ease.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The reticence around jumping on the Mamdani train has highlighted an identity crisis of sorts playing out inside the party as its leaders wrestle with whether the 33-year-old Queens Assembly member is a model for the future of Democratic party politics.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
12 Aug. 2025
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Throughout the episode, Conrad wrestled with his romantic feelings for Belly.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The moon’s clash with Mars threatens to sidetrack you.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
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Nobody’s life but Galileo’s was at stake in his historic clash between religious dogma and scientific fact.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Wave have been fortunate that Orlando and Washington have also stumbled, keeping the gap small.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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Indeed, the Braves overcame an early 5-1 deficit in the series opener Tuesday with four runs in the fourth inning to tie the score, only to give it right back on a night when Spencer Strider stumbled, tying a career high with eight runs allowed in four innings.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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He was arrested in February 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and had been fighting extradition to the United States since then.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Aug. 2025
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Following emancipation, Black families fought to reunite, underscoring the idea of family as foundational to their status as free people, as described by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Europe is on track for its worst wildfire season on record as swaths of the continent — including France, Spain, Albania, Portugal and Greece — battle raging, deadly fires as temperature soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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The news was especially monumental given the six-year battle over her masters, which led her to launch her highly successful rerecording endeavor and release Taylor’s Versions of Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Jenna Ortega has stomped all over the press tour for the second season of Wednesday.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
6 Aug. 2025
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Some, snubbed by their companions, stomp off in a huff or peck adjacent fans instead, while youthful pairs looking to lock lips are thwarted by chaperoning adults.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffle. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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