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
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Recent Examples of scuffled
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
Lawmakers tore up agenda papers and scuffled Wednesday over constitutional amendments opposition claims would extend parliament’s mandate, which expires in April.
—Omar Faruk, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Opposition lawmakers scuffled with police inside Albania’s parliament on Thursday after weeks of escalating tensions over corruption allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku and other senior officials, Reuters reported.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The 8-12 Bucks have scuffled this season, but two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to their lineup on Friday after sitting out four games with a groin injury.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Prosecutors say Mendez and Ortiz scuffled with one of the suspects, which led to the shooting.
—Nate Sylves, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
The Dodgers' offense has scuffled in the last couple of games, putting more pressure on the pitching staff.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The offense has scuffled, but the defense has been fantastic.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
In Montpellier, in the southwest, police scuffled with protesters who had set up a barricade to block traffic at a roundabout.
—Stephane Mahe, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers tore up agenda papers and scuffled Wednesday over constitutional amendments opposition claims would extend parliament’s mandate, which expires in April.
—Omar Faruk, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Opposition lawmakers scuffled with police inside Albania’s parliament on Thursday after weeks of escalating tensions over corruption allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku and other senior officials, Reuters reported.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The 8-12 Bucks have scuffled this season, but two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to their lineup on Friday after sitting out four games with a groin injury.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Prosecutors say Mendez and Ortiz scuffled with one of the suspects, which led to the shooting.
—Nate Sylves, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
The Dodgers' offense has scuffled in the last couple of games, putting more pressure on the pitching staff.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The offense has scuffled, but the defense has been fantastic.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
In Montpellier, in the southwest, police scuffled with protesters who had set up a barricade to block traffic at a roundabout.
—Stephane Mahe, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffled
Verb
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That means there aren’t going to be just a few chairs shuffled around; my suspicion is much of the roster likely will be overhauled in the next few years.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
-
On Thursday afternoon, about 300 people in a mix of puffer coats and fleeces shuffled in place on a line that snaked south along Seventh Avenue to West 10th Street, wrapped around Julius’ and circled back — an Ouroborous.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Freedom wrestled without two starters but still managed to score its first FHSAA duals wrestling state quarterfinal victory against Wellington on Friday.—
Steve Gorches,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Ottman wrestled elsewhere after his last WWF stint in 1994.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ciara is thawing towards West, and getting goats for the party helped, even though one stomped all over Levi’s face.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
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The first trailer for this macho survival flick just stomped onto the internet last week with a gung-ho spirit and guns blazing.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
9 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
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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
Verb
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Illinois bolted an early 15-3 lead as USC stumbled out of the gate, turning the ball over four times in the first six minutes and missing seven of its first eight shots.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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But in a market with no room for error, the cybersecurity giant stumbled on guidance, and the stock sank.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scuffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffled. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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