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
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Recent Examples of scuffle
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025
The Celtics’ regulars then scuffled through the final 12 minutes, keeping the Bulls at arm’s length but not delivering any sort of authoritative knockout blow.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Roe was forced outside then re-entered and again scuffled with police and blocked them from moving the rioters out.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2025
The Capitals have scuffled a bit since a 21-6-2 start, winning only seven of their last 14 games entering Tuesday’s tilt against Anaheim.
—James Mirtle, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Verb
Hefner is quickly building a reputation as a coach who can help transform scuffling back-end starters into frontline rotation options, and the Mets are hoping Montas can benefit from his coaching.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025
The Celtics’ regulars then scuffled through the final 12 minutes, keeping the Bulls at arm’s length but not delivering any sort of authoritative knockout blow.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Roe was forced outside then re-entered and again scuffled with police and blocked them from moving the rioters out.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2025
The Capitals have scuffled a bit since a 21-6-2 start, winning only seven of their last 14 games entering Tuesday’s tilt against Anaheim.
—James Mirtle, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle
Noun
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However the trade saga develops from here, the first skirmishes in a trade war, a dreaded relic of the Great Depression, have begun in the 21st century.—
Jeff Sommer,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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After all, listening is a great tool for influencing people, navigating conflict, and soothing relationship skirmishes.—
Aditi Shrikant,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Pretty much everything else is shuffled off to the infotainment system, a single circular touchscreen that lives in the middle of the dash.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 Apr. 2025
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While events were shuffled around to fit a new schedule, the royals will also be about to pace themselves following the monarch's recent health setback.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Sophomore safety Jelani McLaughlin intercepted a pass by Emanuel, wrestling the ball away from wide receiver Parker Threatt.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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Because sports played a big role in developing his self-confidence, Mr. Newsom wrestled with the idea that some girls could lose opportunities to transgender athletes with a physiological advantage, Mr. Elliott said.—
Laurel Rosenhall,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Since then, while tallies have fluctuated, the average has been around 180 clashes per day, an increase of about 30%.—
Andrew Carey and Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the public clash between Musk and Navarro as an example of the administration's transparency.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Forty-two years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Steves stumbled upon his diary, rereading passages about his formative trip.—
Laura Manske,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Listen to this article The morning after his fifth suicide attempt, Rick Fisher stumbled to a church and pounded on the doors.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As the war lurched into its fourth year, Russian losses of tanks, fighting vehicles and other heavy equipment had exceeded 20,000, according to the analysts at the Oryx intelligence collective, which confirms each loss with imagery from the front line.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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The court fight over Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia is a most unusual one in that no one denies that the government violated the law in deporting him.—
The Editors,
National Review,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Rather, Awuah-Darko wants his story to reach people, whether through Instagram or this article, who feel alone in their battles, even if that comes with backlash.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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For Episode 15 of the current 17th season that aired on April 11, 2025, the eliminated queens were spotlighted by returning to battle for a $50,000 prize in a series of emotional and high-energy lip syncs, as was the popular Korean drinking game that Rosé and Mars sing about in their duet.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Malone was more willing to lean on the trio of second-year players this year, but the Nuggets have gotten stomped in their minutes without three-time MVP Nikola Jokić.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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John and Carlile get loud here, stomping and slamming around for a tight little radio-length banger. 75.—
Shana Naomi Krochmal,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffle. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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