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
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
And that didn’t include the multiple (if mild) scuffles in between this ruckus.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
The student said scuffles broke out between protesters and members of the Basij, which has played a key role in quashing dissent over the years, as university security guards tried to separate the two.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Verified social media video showed scuffles Sunday between pro- and anti-regime groups at Amirkabir University.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Schoolyard scuffles, neighbor disputes, low-level drug use, injury-free DUIs.
—Emily Galvin Almanza, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
The football teams have had a series of scuffles in recent years, including a 2022 incident in the Michigan Stadium tunnel that resulted in criminal charges for several Spartans.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
And that didn’t include the multiple (if mild) scuffles in between this ruckus.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
The student said scuffles broke out between protesters and members of the Basij, which has played a key role in quashing dissent over the years, as university security guards tried to separate the two.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Verified social media video showed scuffles Sunday between pro- and anti-regime groups at Amirkabir University.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Schoolyard scuffles, neighbor disputes, low-level drug use, injury-free DUIs.
—Emily Galvin Almanza, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
The football teams have had a series of scuffles in recent years, including a 2022 incident in the Michigan Stadium tunnel that resulted in criminal charges for several Spartans.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffles
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That is not unique — Major League Baseball’s offseason shuffles along at a deliberate pace, just as the Dodgers historically have liked.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This is definitely something that every fan wrestles with.—
Dan Shanoff,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
At left, Nora wrestles Jefferson’s Ella Hughes during the finals of the 135-pound weight class.—
Jason Getz,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Three newer ones — the USS Canberra, USS Santa Barbara and USS Tulsa — are equipped with advanced mine countermeasure, or MCM, packages that were intended to be useful in areas such as the Persian Gulf, the site of many wars involving clashes in the littoral zone, or shallow coastal areas.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
What should be a straightforward day of music grinds to a halt as the artists struggle to deal with personality clashes, an ambitious trumpeter named Levee (Boseman), and the band's mercurial frontwoman.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ellie stomps back to the crew mess to whine about it to Jenna and Ben.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
-
As skyscrapers towered over them, their cheers, chants and stomps wove through downtown Dallas.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the Democratic Party fights to regain control of Congress, organizations affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence have dominated the airwaves, sometimes leaving candidates on the sidelines of their own campaigns.—
Leah Askarinam,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Set in the last year of World War II on the remote North Sea island of Amrum, the story is told from the point of view of 12-year-old Nanning (Jasper Billerbeck), whose zealot mother (Laura Tonke) is raising him as a good Nazi while his father fights in the war.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And tourism-dependent Saipan - the site of one of World War II's bloodiest battles in the Pacific - was still reeling from Yutu when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Hunter said.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Fox Valley has lost a war hero – not the kind who fought the enemy with military prowess but who waged her battles with a fierce faith in God and a heart that beat with joy and compassion.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich follows the titular law firm worker who stumbles upon records involving the Pacific Gas & Electric Company's culpability in a contamination incident.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Bankman-Fried stumbles through an answer about payments.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scuffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffles. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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