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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Williams saw similar actions from Vrabel last summer, when the Patriots head coach dove into a pile to break up a scuffle between his team and the Washington Commanders. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 Throughout his scuffles, however, Boone felt Grisham had gotten more aggressive inside the strike zone. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

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 Despite Chisholm’s late heroics, the Yankees’ scuffling offense certainly could have made things easier, as there were a few other opportunities to tack on runs. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 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

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

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

scuffing (up)

scuffle

scuffled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scuffle

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes