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

Nacua and Dodson scuffled after the whistle and the otherwise mild-mannered receiver was tossed for taking a swing. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Officers then scuffle with Kenyon before he is finally handcuffed and the officers lift him from the asphalt and escort him into a police vehicle. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024

Valdez and righties Hunter Brown (11-9, 3.49) and Ronel Blanco (13-6, 2.80) saved the rotation after Cristian Javier was lost for the season and Hall of Famer-in-waiting Justin Verlander scuffled in his return from a neck injury. —Jack Magruder, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

But the Raiders and Bengals are scuffling on defense, to be kind, and Dalton and the Panthers weren’t prepared to tangle with a defense of the Bears’ caliber. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024

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