1
as in shuffling
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 wrestling
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 scuffling
This was the year Kansas City lost its magic pixie dust … while ultimately scuffling to a 6-11 finish.
—
Jesse Newell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
At the other end, Boston’s scorers were scuffling.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
He was accused of scuffling with police during a Kansas City Chiefs-Buffalo Bills playoff game in January 2021.
—Emma Butts, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
Entering their game against the New Jersey Devils at Ball Arena, the Avs’ power play had been scuffling.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
Addison Barger, who'd been scuffling in August, played the role of late-game hero.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
After a strong 10-game homestand last week at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals were scuffling against a pair of American League Central rivals.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025
Jesse Newell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
At the other end, Boston’s scorers were scuffling.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
He was accused of scuffling with police during a Kansas City Chiefs-Buffalo Bills playoff game in January 2021.
—Emma Butts, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
Entering their game against the New Jersey Devils at Ball Arena, the Avs’ power play had been scuffling.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
Addison Barger, who'd been scuffling in August, played the role of late-game hero.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
After a strong 10-game homestand last week at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals were scuffling against a pair of American League Central rivals.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffling
Verb
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Go on a street food tour Street food tours are great things to do in Sicily and a fabulous alternative to hours of shuffling through museums.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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It's designed to offer a satisfying and calming shuffling motion, guided by a strong magnet and a seamless sliding track on the inside.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Although Carini is 27-1 this season, the loss came to Utah’s Ladd Holman (Juab High), 5-2, wrestling up at 190 pounds in the Reno Tournament of Champions in December.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
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Twenty-somethings may also be wrestling with car debt and credit card debt.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Han will be posted up by the Milennium Falcon and/or Oga’s Cantina, Luke will be stomping his Chanel boots in the marketplace, and Darth Vader will be force-choking dads in Grumpy tees.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
14 Jan. 2026
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Then there’s the people watching, from the tailgating to the communal divot stomping, full of dramatic sun dresses and hats with flourishes, seersucker suits and, yes, hats with flourishes.—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Impressively, Newcastle have reached mid-January still fighting — and, in a roundabout way, even (arguably) thriving — on all four fronts, albeit in a non-linear and rarely convincing fashion.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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Candid figure on war, civil rights and religion Beyond the boxing ring, Ali was outspoken about his beliefs when many Black Americans were still fighting to be heard.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Whether Allen was in the process of turning and running away or stumbling in a chaotic scene in a wobbly subway car was unclear.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
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After stumbling out to a 13-15 start this season, the Warriors went 12-4 over the past month to rise to eighth in the Western Conference.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scuffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffling. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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