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

During the scuffle, the mother alleged that Ruiz bit her forearm, leaving a mark, the warrant affidavit said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026 The heated scuffle began after Miami’s Ian Fray tangled with Philadelphia’s Quinn Sullivan. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

The room was thick with the din of 1,400 men packed inside a stone box—their voices, the sound of feet scuffling on the floor, and their hands moving restlessly atop the tables, echoing. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 Protesters were seen pushing through police barricades and scuffling with security personnel as authorities attempted to stop the march. — Priyanka Salve,raksha Murali, CNBC, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scuffle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle

Noun

There was a brief skirmish in the end zone after Howell's 2-point conversion run.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Its outcome will be a major milestone in the decades-long political skirmishes over CEQA.

— Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

For nearly a year and a half, he was shuffled around detention centers in Texas, Arizona, Louisiana and Florida, until arriving in the Alexandria International Airport in mid-August.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
The Yankees continued to shuffle their bullpen on Monday, claiming John Schreiber.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Verb

But the Young Bucks have been a dominant force in tag team wrestling for years.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Hinduism itself has long wrestled with the question of how many gods there are, and different answers have been proposed throughout its history, but none of those answers necessarily invalidates the others.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrestle

Noun

Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
The clash between Ossoff and Piker comes as members of the Jewish community in Atlanta have criticized the Jewish Democrat, largely over his votes to block certain arms sales to Israel.

— Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of clash

Verb

Most critics of judicial supremacy stumble over the fact that a strong Court sometimes benefits their side.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Analysis from Zeki Data shows that where OpenAI and Anthropic are making gains in the AI talent market, Google DeepMind (and to some extent Meta) are stumbling.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

Without a clear message from Warsh, investors began to doubt the Fed’s inflation-fighting resolve.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Federal safety investigators urged automakers to give emergency responders better guides on how to fight lithium-ion battery fires.

— Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

The only intrigue at offensive line was the backup center battle between Hudson and Patrick.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Naturally, with three more Salt Lake City wives at the Alter Ego Party, Gizelle is ready to further investigate why Lisa is in a battle with her whole cast.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

Joined by his crew, Shakur stomps him out before the stunned gamblers and boxing fans.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
The need for data Inside the headquarters of UBTech Robotics, one of China’s biggest humanoid robot firms, a silver-and-black mannequin picks up a box, stomps across the floor, and mechanically places the box on a shelf.

— Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of stomp

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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scuffle

noun

verb

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