as in skirmishes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
several chairs were knocked over in the scuffle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in shuffles
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 wrestles
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 scuffles
Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
And the United States and Iran had a series of scuffles last week that saw the Islamic Republic fire on American Navy vessels and the United States bomb Iranian ports.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Tens of thousands of people joined marches across the country, including in Paris, where brief scuffles with police broke out.
—Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The extra time from the delay and the legal scuffles gave the team time to get the game ready.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 30 Apr. 2026
The impasse apparently led to a couple of scuffles, including one at a barbershop where Carter was nearly stabbed until one of the men cutting hair intervened.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
There were 12 roughing penalties in the game — six against each team — and plenty of other scuffles involving multiple players.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Luka Garza, who’s played well in most of his appearances since late December, is another viable option if Vucevic scuffles, or if Mazzulla opts to play three bigs.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
The aerial scuffles are charming.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
There are videos documenting scuffles and violence, which threatens to complicate Albania’s scheduled 2030 entry into the European Union.
—Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
And the United States and Iran had a series of scuffles last week that saw the Islamic Republic fire on American Navy vessels and the United States bomb Iranian ports.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Tens of thousands of people joined marches across the country, including in Paris, where brief scuffles with police broke out.
—Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The extra time from the delay and the legal scuffles gave the team time to get the game ready.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 30 Apr. 2026
The impasse apparently led to a couple of scuffles, including one at a barbershop where Carter was nearly stabbed until one of the men cutting hair intervened.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
There were 12 roughing penalties in the game — six against each team — and plenty of other scuffles involving multiple players.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Luka Garza, who’s played well in most of his appearances since late December, is another viable option if Vucevic scuffles, or if Mazzulla opts to play three bigs.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
The aerial scuffles are charming.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffles
Noun
-
While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.—
Gabriel Sama,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
-
Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
At the sound of morning prayers, an older Clarissa awakens from this dream and shuffles out to her lawn, where the leafy bush has been replaced with the industrial skyline of Lagos.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The officer then wrestles the woman to the ground.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
If Kittle wrestles a crocodile down under, who is winning?—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Social interactions may stir up complicated feelings when the Libra moon clashes with Mercury.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
Enter Maddie’s Secret, Early’s directorial debut, which follows a chef at GourMaybe Test Kitchen whose rising place in the food-influencer world clashes with her lifelong struggle with bulimia.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Suddenly, the trees part and a Tyrannosaurus rex stomps into view.—
RJ Mackenzie,
Popular Science,
11 June 2026
-
Set in the evening, the scene broods as an unknown figure, only identifiable by his terrible Lego haircut and furry boots, stomps toward the Stallion Saloon.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The East Wing’s demolition and 999-seat ballroom — now projected at $600 million — are fueling legal, ethical and security fights over who pays and what protections are truly needed.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Rizos Curls’ 6-in-1 Styling Cream is a lightweight multitasker that defines curls, fights frizz, provides flexible hold, and offers heat protection.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Informal Beyblade battles are popping up in strangest of places, with players huddling in parks, gyms and shopping malls.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
-
Unlike in Jalisco or Michoacán, spectacular gun battles are hardly ever seen in Colima.—
Daniel Hernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Verb
-
After a rocky start, Joey stumbles on some talents and goes to great lengths to impress Leonard in his audition for a play.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
-
The first robot stumbles on aluminum debris, its wheels furiously trying to get traction and move around the obstacle.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scuffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffles. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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