as in skirmishes
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 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
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
The scuffles came amid an already intense night, with tensions fueled by a brutal press conference on Thursday for the title fight between Lopez and Stevenson, during which the boxers exchanged insults about each other’s family members.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Cooke, 30, was at the center of several scuffles during the Jaguars’ 25-3 win over the Titans on Sunday, being knocked over twice by late hits after punting the ball and then later being blocked hard by Chestnut, 25, on a 47-yard punt return by Chimere Dike in the fourth quarter.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
There were some scuffles, but nothing that rose to the level of a fighting penalty or a major.
—CBS News, 15 Nov. 2025
Engemann and Leavitt’s contrast scuffles have completely blown the lid off conversations about show stipulations, which is a topic that executive producers Jeff Jenkins and Lisa Filipelli tell The Hollywood Reporter must be addressed to better serve viewers.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
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
The scuffles came amid an already intense night, with tensions fueled by a brutal press conference on Thursday for the title fight between Lopez and Stevenson, during which the boxers exchanged insults about each other’s family members.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Cooke, 30, was at the center of several scuffles during the Jaguars’ 25-3 win over the Titans on Sunday, being knocked over twice by late hits after punting the ball and then later being blocked hard by Chestnut, 25, on a 47-yard punt return by Chimere Dike in the fourth quarter.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
There were some scuffles, but nothing that rose to the level of a fighting penalty or a major.
—CBS News, 15 Nov. 2025
Engemann and Leavitt’s contrast scuffles have completely blown the lid off conversations about show stipulations, which is a topic that executive producers Jeff Jenkins and Lisa Filipelli tell The Hollywood Reporter must be addressed to better serve viewers.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffles
Noun
-
Instead, Washington stages high-volume skirmishes over symbolic and petty conflicts.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Pakistan and neighboring India, both nuclear armed powers, have periodically engaged in wars, clashes and skirmishes since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 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
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At left, Nora wrestles Jefferson’s Ella Hughes during the finals of the 135-pound weight class.—
Jason Getz,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Judah Heeg, who wrestles for Lemont, and Providence’s Luke Banas both finished fourth.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the southern Gulf Stream clashes with the northern Labrador Current, the rough waters steer sailors toward shallow shoals and ultimate disaster.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Gyllenhaal tells me, wryly — of behind-the-scenes clashes between the director and the studio.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As skyscrapers towered over them, their cheers, chants and stomps wove through downtown Dallas.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Idris the Valentine’s cow stomps in the footsteps of Squishmallows’ viral strawberry cow and the subsequent bestselling blueberry cow.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What fights will Zuffa stage and who will show them?—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Everyone fights in their own way.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Two surgical operations, costing a total of $400,000, were performed in accordance with the past directive following lengthy legal battles over in-prison access to breast implants, facial feminization surgery, and genital augmentation.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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This style sparked architectural battles in Beverly Hills that at times seemed like a proxy fight over Persian American influence (Platform).—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And what about the scene when Mac has locked Bull in the room, which is flooding with water, until James [Osian Emlyn] stumbles across him and lets him out?—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
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Violet stumbles upon Sophie in the parlor, searching desperately for her necklace.—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scuffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffles. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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