as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
several chairs were knocked over in the scuffle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of scuffle
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
The right-hander dominated the scuffling Rockies hitters, striking out 10, walking none, and allowing just three hits over seven innings.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
Two deputies at the scene heard cries for help and claimed to have seen the men scuffling through a window, with Lopez threatening Duran-Contreras with a knife.
—Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
After scuffling for most of his early Masters career, DeChambeau has now recorded consecutive top-six finishes.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Verb
Jayson Tatum flirted with a triple-double (22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals) and went 5-for-9 from three after scuffling in Games 1 and 2.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
The right-hander dominated the scuffling Rockies hitters, striking out 10, walking none, and allowing just three hits over seven innings.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
Two deputies at the scene heard cries for help and claimed to have seen the men scuffling through a window, with Lopez threatening Duran-Contreras with a knife.
—Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
After scuffling for most of his early Masters career, DeChambeau has now recorded consecutive top-six finishes.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle
Noun
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Past skirmishes with Pakistan had allowed Modi to construct a triumphalist narrative of strength that played to his domestic audience.—
Vaibhav Vats,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2025
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Türkiye has been vocal about its support for Pakistan in the wake of the border skirmishes, and India has severed ties with several of its businesses and universities.—
Jasreen Mayal Khanna,
AFAR Media,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The team then trained three seals–Nick, Luca, and Miro–to shuffle into place in front of a large screen and showed them the simulations.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
29 May 2025
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The next generation's most exciting opportunities won't be found in shuffling digital information but in reimagining the physical world.—
Richard Lebovitz,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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As in Denver, cities across the country are wrestling with how to restore the pre-pandemic hustle and bustle to recharge what has historically been a crucial economic engine.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2025
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The guards wrestle him to the ground and In-ho watches.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Trump tests legal strategies as judges block his policies As the clash becomes a defining moment in the president's second term, conservative activists are pushing Congress to rein in federal judges and pressing Trump to intensify his fight with the courts.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
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The clash between Villaraigosa’s environmentalist credentials and oil-industry ties surfaced in the governor’s race after Valero announced in late April that its Bay Area refinery would close next year, not long after Phillips 66 said its Wilmington refinery would close in 2025.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Per a fan video, at one point during the show, after spinning his microphone and tossing it towards the audience, Joel appeared to stumble, falling backwards and landing on his side.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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No one stumbled into creating a billion dollar company, gingerly broke a world record, or cautiously planned and lived their peak life.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The current plan would lift the SALT cap from $10,000 to $30,000, but a handful of blue-state Republicans have been fighting to raise the cap higher.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
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Moving to Italy was a big jump and then moving here was another big jump: from Serie B to a big club that fights in European competition.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Recently, a German court quietly ended a landmark legal battle that had spanned nearly a decade.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Fires and recovery Crews battle fire burning in Pala, evacuations underway in northern San Diego County.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Verb
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While wearing a mini tuxedo, Lorenzo slowly stomped down the aisle and paused at the puddle of petals.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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Boston Haitian community joyfully stomped, danced and marched their way down Blue Hill Ave.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffle. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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