scrabbled

verb

past tense of scrabble
1
as in climbed
to move (as up or over something) often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling we scrabbled up a sand dune to get a better view of the sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in fumbled
to search for something blindly or uncertainly he frantically scrabbled through the storage chest looking for the needed documents

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 scrabbled With the June 2 primary weeks away and many voters still undecided, candidates scrabbled for airtime and breakout moments during the chaotic 90-minute debate. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 The Eagles have scrabbled at multiple offensive schemes while leveraging the strength of their defense. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrabbled
  1. climbed
  2. fumbled
  3. scrambled
  4. looked
  5. clambered
Verb
  • The Union have climbed from last place in the Eastern Conference at the World Cup break to sixth under interim coach Ryan Richter, who took over after Bradley Carnell was let go.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The hikers climbed out of the gulch with help from authorities, according to authorities.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of climbed
Verb
  • Carr fumbled while trying to spike the ball, and Isaiah Glasker pounced on it to help the Cougars maintain a two-score lead going into the locker room.
    — John Coon, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Then, with Georgia a first down away from a game-winning field-goal attempt, Stockton fumbled the ball.
    — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of fumbled
Verb
  • Fire crews scrambled late Saturday as fierce winds whipped flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright and into the surrounding rural area.
    — Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall scrambled for 117 yards on 14 carries as the Jayhawks managed 168 rushing yards on 34 attempts (one touchdown).
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of scrambled
Verb
  • The event featured high-flying stunts, air-pumping cold thrusters, and a driverless demonstration that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier versions looked unnaturally green, while the team also considered how the character’s skin would react to different lighting.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of looked
Verb
  • Readers will know, of course, that Joao Palhinha bundled in a late winner at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Spurs reduced the gap to two and then clambered over West Ham in the final weeks of the season.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • People have clambered into helicopters from roof terraces and been winched up from the mud left behind by the floodwater, videos posted by the Nepali Army show.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of clambered

Browse Nearby Words

scrabble
scrabbled
scrabbles
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Cite this Entry

“Scrabbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrabbled. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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