1
as in shuffled
to move heavily or clumsily
she scuffled along in shoes that were much too large for her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrestled
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
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Recent Examples of scuffled
Mackenzie Blackwood started the year 13-1-1, but has scuffled at times in the second half of the season.
—
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
The Cubs need more consistency from their lineup, which has scuffled through their first nine games.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Brown, who scuffled as a shooter for most of the game, caught fire late with two 3-pointers and an and-one midrange jumper that cut Boston’s deficit to eight with just over a minute remaining.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
A week ago, Justin Thomas scuffled to consecutive 79s at Bay Hill in his return to competition following back surgery.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The officers scuffled with the boy and wrestled him to the ground before taking him into custody, a source with knowledge of the case said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
After starting the year with 14 wins in their first 15 games, the Trojans have scuffled to end the year.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Jothan saw us and shook our hands, as did Michael Ray, but Sun Ra scuffled by with an air of depthless blankness.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Oklahoma City surged ahead, leading by 15 in the second quarter as Houston’s offense scuffled, but the Rockets fought back to trail by just six at the half.
—Varun Shankar, Houston Chronicle, 7 Feb. 2026
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
The Cubs need more consistency from their lineup, which has scuffled through their first nine games.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Brown, who scuffled as a shooter for most of the game, caught fire late with two 3-pointers and an and-one midrange jumper that cut Boston’s deficit to eight with just over a minute remaining.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
A week ago, Justin Thomas scuffled to consecutive 79s at Bay Hill in his return to competition following back surgery.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The officers scuffled with the boy and wrestled him to the ground before taking him into custody, a source with knowledge of the case said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
After starting the year with 14 wins in their first 15 games, the Trojans have scuffled to end the year.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Jothan saw us and shook our hands, as did Michael Ray, but Sun Ra scuffled by with an air of depthless blankness.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Oklahoma City surged ahead, leading by 15 in the second quarter as Houston’s offense scuffled, but the Rockets fought back to trail by just six at the half.
—Varun Shankar, Houston Chronicle, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffled
Verb
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Conservation and breeding efforts shuffled three giraffes around Colorado zoos this year — one returning home to Denver after months away, another joining the Denver herd and a third finding a new home in Colorado Springs, according to zoo officials.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
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Carlos Mendoza isn’t to blame, nor are this group of players, who are being shuffled around the field like Yahtzee dice.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Ivelisse Garcia Santana said her grandson Jeury Concepcion needed several stitches after ICE agents wrestled him to the ground.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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Paxley wrestled other talented superstars, including Asuka, Ash By Elegance, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Gigi Dolin, Thea Hail, Fallon Henley, Michin, Liv Morgan, Ivy Nile, Jaida Parker, Roxanne Perez, Raquel Rodriguez, Sol Ruca, Kairi Sane, Lyra Valkyria, and Zaria.—
James Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Guest shark Rashaun Williams strapped on his court shoes, wiped them on their mini mat and stomped onto their court.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
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Dedicating that much shelf space to the New York Yankees, as your organization gets stomped into the ground by them, at home?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Margaret moved into his battle station and fought bravely, sustaining three gunshot wounds, until the British captured the post.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
-
As technology continues to advance, drone warfare will likely become more autonomous, more widespread, and more decisive, fundamentally altering the way battles are fought.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Verb
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With Colorado on the power play, the Avs icon lost the puck near the Minnesota blue line and stumbled while retreating.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
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But Musk stumbled at least seven times in ways that possibly put his chances at winning in jeopardy.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scuffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffled. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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