SCUFF Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

scuff 1 of 2

verb

ˈskəf

Definition of scuff

as in to scratch

to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface scuffed up her shoes by rubbing her feet under the rung of the chair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shuffle

to move heavily or clumsily the miners scuffed past in heavy boots

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scuff

2 of 2

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 scuff

Verb

Before Mbappe scored his penalty, Gustavo Velazquez, the Paraguayan defender, scuffed the penalty spot, another underhanded attempt to disturb the tournament favourites. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Defender Gustavo Velázquez was even busy trying to scuff up the penalty spot. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Noun

At the end of the day those new black sneakers had a white scuff mark that wouldn’t come off and the white part near the sole was less white. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 Yet, every sidewalk, shopping cart, and curb seems determined to leave behind a dark scuff mark. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuff

Verb

Its uniquely wide view will also help scientists decode the intricacies of dark matter and dark energy while perhaps clearing up some contradictions about our universe that scientists have been scratching their heads over for decades.

— Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Culturally, college football scratches the human itch for tribalism, which America’s ethos of individualism fortunately discourages.

— George F. Will, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of scratch

Verb

Since Brian Schottenheimer lasted six years, from 2006 until 2011, the Jets have shuffled through 10 offensive coordinators (including Reich), and none lasted for more than two seasons.

— Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The line shuffles forward quickly, and my heart knots in my chest as Heartfillers are dosed to each person up ahead.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Noun

Dillon put together another great week of work, falling forward, finding creaks of daylight in the gaps created by a less-than-ideal second-team offensive line.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026
The durable metal is also rust-resistant, and reviews say that despite its metal frame, creaks and squeaks are minimal.

— Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026

Definition of creak

Verb

Together, the family scraped together $60,000 from savings and a Small Business Administration loan and opened Panda Inn in Pasadena, California, in 1973.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Burger King has 286 locations in Ohio, according to the data-scraping website ScrapeHero.

— Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of scrape

Verb

Their father, Jamie, always seemed to be around, smiling and shouting and stomping his feet.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Achord bounces on his toes like an impatient little kid watching his guys work, stomps his right foot on the ground and vaults his right arm forward to demonstrate how someone should return a kick.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of stomp

Noun

With her retro-soul rasp and ’60s style aesthetic, the English singer-songwriter, 20, has quickly become one of the biggest breakthrough acts of the year.

— Jeff Nelson, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
LaBelle, 82, gave an R&B rendition of the anthem, rife with her gospel rasp, ending with a belting high note to stadium cheers.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Definition of rasp

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

Browse Nearby Words

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scuff

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Style

“Scuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuff. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scuff

verb

noun

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