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

The vigil took place one week after the deadly encounter between Penny and Neely, who scuffled on a subway train heading toward the Broadway-Lafayette station May 1, 2023, after Neely became aggressive. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2024

The rest of the Dodgers’ previously scuffling bullpen — which had the fifth-worst reliever ERA in the majors in July — kept stringing together zeroes from there. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2024

Police officers scuffle with protesters attending the 'Enough is Enough' protest in London on Wednesday. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 31 July 2024

Protesters disrupted New Year’s Day travel last week with a blockade at Kennedy Airport, and six were arrested after scuffling with NYPD officers at Rockefeller Center on Christmas Day. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 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