SCUFFLE Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

scuffle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scuffle

as in skirmish

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups several chairs were knocked over in the scuffle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truce

scuffle

2 of 2

verb

ˈskə-fəl

as in to shuffle

to move heavily or clumsily she scuffled along in shoes that were much too large for her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to wrestle

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scuffle

Noun

Defensive line coach Joe Cullen pulled Anudike-Uzomah, who had his helmet off during the scuffle. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026 Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said scuffles like that are part of training camp. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Verb

Despite Chisholm’s late heroics, the Yankees’ scuffling offense certainly could have made things easier, as there were a few other opportunities to tack on runs. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026 Tesla made that evolution, while Lucid is scuffling and Fisker never did. — Greg Migliore, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scuffle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle

Noun

Frantic skirmishes between the family and the beast take place as the house floods, and eventually the invading creature is tangled up in a trap.

— William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
On Thursday, linebacker Jack Cochrane also was involved in a skirmish with running back Jaydn Ott during a special teams drill.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

Because tokenized stocks exist alongside stablecoins and other digital assets on the same network, investors can move money between spending, saving, and investing without shuffling it across separate institutions.

— Malana VanTyler, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Lyman and her family stood to leave, and although none of them spoke, the sound of more than 30 mourners shuffling out of a quiet room was enough to halt the court proceedings for a moment.

— Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Verb

Police wrestled him down, and Fauci, dressed in his white lab coat, bolted downstairs.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
That means a rare Friday session, when the Senate will finish its saga on Russia sanctions after wrestling with the issue for more than a year.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrestle

Noun

Its vibrant colors and familiar texture became fashion material, incorporated into the fishnets, color clashes and styling experiments surrounding her tour with Skillibeng.

— Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Be sure to draw appropriate boundaries while Venus and Neptune clash.

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of clash

Verb

According to The New York Times, a detective within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department who had been assigned to dig into the Shakur cold case stumbled upon Davis’ memoir and used it as evidence to build his case against him.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Drunken dragonrider Ulf the White's rage proves pivotal Debaucherous dragonrider Ulf White (Tom Bennett) stumbles into playing a major role in the final battle with his dragon Silverwing.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

But the judge’s order showed a possible path forward for other court fights around the country as Meta faces mounting legal, regulatory and public pressure to do more to protect young people.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Garlic Garlic is rich in plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihypertensive (fighting high blood pressure) properties.

— Carrie Madormo, HEALTH, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

Four months later, my mom began a private battle against death when she was diagnosed with polio.

— Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Following a slew of casualties (including James Norton’s Ormund Hightower) during a massive battle between the Blacks and the Greens at Tumbleton, Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) jumps to her death off screen in King’s Landing.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Browse Nearby Words

scuffing (up)

scuffle

scuffled

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Style

“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffle. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scuffle

noun

verb

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