scrum

noun

ˈskrəm How to pronounce scrum (audio)
Definition of scrumnext
1
as in throng
a great number of persons or creatures massed together I had to fight my way through the scrum of holiday shoppers at the mall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups when the server spilled a drink on a customer, they got into a bit of a scrum before being separated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bedlam
British a place of uproar or confusion London's tube is quite a scrum during rush hour

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 scrum Breaking work into small pieces and running it through scrums and sprints was how teams offset the sheer cost of human coding hours. — Tim Lee, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 That Missouri man entered into a scrum at the line of scrimmage. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026 When Walker bounced out of a fourth and 1 scrum and bolted 60 yards for a touchdown in the Chiefs’ 31-10 trouncing of Denver, all at once the astounding was entirely familiar. — Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026 Cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough then cut through the scrum to find their light, where Hough, a former pro and the winner of seasons 4 and 5, announced that last night’s premiere was the series’ highest-rated in nine years. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrum
  1. throng
  2. skirmish
  3. bedlam
  4. crowd
  5. clash
  6. madhouse
  7. swarm
  8. battle
Noun
  • Outside, a throng of revelers were waiting to navigate the same journey as Williams, McRae, and their respective entourages.
    — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Set the scene Deep in verdant Bogawantalawa Valley, the serenity here is a welcome break from the throng of the south coast beaches.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of throng
Noun
  • This leads to even more behind-the-scenes skirmishes laced with character-centric comedy, as opposing factions align.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Ties between the two countries remain strained over their long-running Himalayan border dispute, which erupted into a deadly skirmishes in 2020 that saw soldiers from both sides use rocks and iron rods in brutal hand-to-hand combat.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • There wasn’t quite as much Phillies bedlam in Georgia on Wednesday.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But this is preposterous, this is insanity, this is the very essence of bedlam.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of bedlam
Noun
  • Carnegie Hall seats well over 3,000 people, but this intense, no-frills performance film gives life to the old saying about feeling alone in a crowd.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • That left a thinner-than-expected crowd, mostly made up of local executives, to hear the kingdom seek deeper international cooperation to secure energy supplies and trade routes.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of crowd
Noun
  • By Saturday, demonstrations over rising living costs, school conditions and declining public services had escalated into clashes with police, fires, looting and attacks on public buildings in several cities.
    — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The decades-old rivalry has favored United in the last seven meetings at Elland Road, but Leeds head into Sunday's clash in strong form, with two wins and three draws placing them 7th on the table.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • Whereas this evening in the Spanish Gothic madhouse of the United Theater, most every song from Melanie’s Hadean pageant is received with near word-perfect communalism.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 13 July 2026
  • Headphones are often my saving grace in this madhouse.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of madhouse
Noun
  • However, don't expect a repeat in 2026 — the next predicted Taurid fireball swarm isn't expected until 2032.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of sending one expensive robot to do a job, a swarm of cheaper hopping ones could monitor water and soil, inspect oil refineries, and explore other locations that are difficult to reach.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of swarm
Noun
  • Still, when the measles outbreak erupted, Bangladesh responded swiftly and initially seemed to be winning the battle.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Policy Policy Your guide to the Supreme Court, federal courts, judicial nominations, and the legal battles shaping American policy.
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle

Browse Nearby Words

scruffy
scrum
scrumptious
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Cite this Entry

“Scrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrum. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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