scuffle

verb

scuf·​fle ˈskə-fəl 

scuffled; scuffling ˈskə-f(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to struggle at close quarters with disorder and confusion

b

: to struggle (as by working odd jobs) to get by

2

a

: to move with a quick shuffling gait : scurry

b

: shuffle

scuffle noun

Synonyms

• barge
• clump
• flog [British]
• flounder
• galumph
• lumber
• lump
• plod
• pound
• scuff
• shamble
• shuffle
• slog
• slough
• stamp
• stomp
• stumble
• stump
• tramp
• tromp
• trudge

Examples of scuffle in a Sentence

Children scuffled on the playground.

Small creatures scuffled in the underbrush.

Recent Examples on the Web

Democrats are scuffling to control the two houses of the state legislature — with a majority in neither. —Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 25 Jan. 2025

For one, the Penguins have been scuffling in recent games and badly needed a win to right their playoff aspirations. —Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

But the echoes of the deadly riot still reverberate through Capitol Hill, as Democrats and Republicans continue to scuffle over which history of Jan. 6, 2021, will endure. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025

Ben Johnson wants to remind doubters of his scuffling Gophers men’s basketball team that No. 2 scoring option and starting point guard Mike Mitchell Jr. missed seven games earlier this season with a high ankle sprain. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps frequentative of scuff

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scuffle

• scuffle hoe

Kids Definition

scuffle

verb

scuf·​fle ˈskəf-əl 

scuffled; scuffling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to struggle roughly at close quarters

2

a

: to move with a scuff : scurry

b

: to scuff one's feet

scuffle noun