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
Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Reid and Atlanta big man Mouhamed Gueye were both ejected after a brief scuffle in the second half.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The New York Times did a video analysis of one video, showing a group of agents scuffling with the man, eventually bringing him to his knees.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Noun
The scuffle hasn't appeared to damage relations, though.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Reid and Atlanta big man Mouhamed Gueye were both ejected after a brief scuffle in the second half.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
On January 24, federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway in Minneapolis, less than three weeks after an immigration officer fired on Renee Good, also 37, killing her in her car.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The New York Times did a video analysis of one video, showing a group of agents scuffling with the man, eventually bringing him to his knees.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle
Noun
-
Some people taking part in recent walkouts and demonstrations have encountered police skirmish lines, arrests.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
As the hearings continued, Welch and Cohn engaged in heated legal skirmishes.—
Kristen Monroe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That left the Broncos with no option but to grab their bags and shuffle along the final icy stretch before reaching the safety of indoors.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
-
To use Smith at the top of the lineup would likely require the Rangers to shuffle the leadoff hitter against lefties, thus creating more moving parts.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While Stockton is fielding interest from local colleges, including Northern Colorado and Western Colorado, Dyes will definitely be wrestling in college.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Host cities have always wrestled with the gap between a beautiful concept and a functional object, and the ribbon attachment has been a persistent headache for decades.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit earlier this month following the Bondi attack sparked protests at major Australian cities, including clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators with the police outside Sydney Town Hall.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Hamilton reframed verbal clashes among the Founding Fathers as rap battles.—
Talya Zax,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The scientists who stumbled on the rare recording are eager to use it for science.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Workers stumble upon historic burial site and 'incredibly rare' find during sewer project.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When her parents fought, Roberts Giuffre would huddle with her little brother, covering his ears.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Mayweather has fought in eight exhibition matches since, the last one coming against John Gotti III — the grandson of infamous mob boss John Gotti — in Mexico City in August 2024.—
Matt Schubert,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Britain had split the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before that colony gained independence, something that has been a source of diplomatic friction as well as multiple legal battles with locals who were evicted.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Arsenal is challenging for the titl while Tottenham — under new coach Igor Tudor — is in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The goal will change depending on the game — whether that’s collecting tokens, moving pieces on a board, stomping Goombas, or putting a ball in a hoop hanging 10 feet above the ground.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
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On her final attempt, Gu stomped a left double-cork 1260 with a toxic grab, vaulting from sixth place into silver-medal position.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffle. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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